12 Trades the Vikings Could Pull Off in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Minnesota Vikings may not execute as many trades as they have in the last half-decade with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gone from the front office, but with nine draft picks in their holster, deals cannot be ruled out. Accordingly, these are trade ideas — call them recommendations — from VikingsTerritory writers.
Minnesota could get aggressive once the board starts moving.
We asked each writer: “What is one trade you’d like to see the Vikings make in the draft? This can be an internal player, like J. J. McCarthy, shipped to a QB-needy team for a mid-round pick. It could be a trade up the draftboard for Sonny Styles, for example. It could be a draft pick for Dexter Lawrence. Something like that. Whatever you want. You’re the GM.”
Minnesota Has Several Trade Paths on the Draftboard
The draft is 33 days away.
1. Jerry Jeudy to Vikings for a 5th-Rounder (CLE)
VT Writer: Dustin Baker
Jeudy’s cap number in 2026 is just over $10 million, a steal of a deal for a team that could empower him to his fullest, unlike the Browns. Historically, 5th-Rounders are hit or miss, so with Kyler Murray running the show, the Vikings can create a video game offense by trading for Jeudy and pairing him with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. They can even maybe draft TE Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon in Round 1 and really cook with gas.
If Cleveland is selling Jeudy, Minnesota should pounce.
2. J.J. McCarthy to Colts for Anthony Richardson
VT Writer: Cole Smith
My trade idea for the Vikings is that they trade J.J. McCarthy straight up for Anthony Richardson. The team was high on Richardson going into the 2023 draft, and the price to acquire him now couldn’t be more affordable.
McCarthy and Richardson could use a change of scenery, and Richardson possesses the big-time arm that Kevin O’Connell covets.
3. J.J. McCarthy to Cardinals for a Mid-Rounder
VT Writer: Ted Schwerzler
It’s okay to admit the timing on McCarthy doesn’t work. Rather than hold onto him as the QB3, call the Cardinals and get the best mid-round pick package they have to offer. Use that to rebuild at center and DT.
4. T.J. Hockenson to Patriots for a 2nd-Rounder
VT Writer: Steve Hoikkala
Minnesota Receives: Pick #63 (RD2)
New England Receives: T.J. Hockenson, Pick #196 (RD6)
During the draft, if Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq is on the board at Pick No. 18, I would like the Vikings to pull the trigger on a trade to New England, which is in search of pass catchers and an upgrade at Tight End.
After the Vikings restructured his contract this offseason, eliminating the 2027 year off his contract and taking a $5 million pay cut, Hockenson’s value has increased in trade talks. The Vikings get the top TE in the draft in Sadiq, who led all FBS TEs with (8) touchdowns while posting a blazing 4.39 40-time at the NFL Draft Combine.
5. Vikings Trade Back into Round 1 with Chiefs
VT Writer: Janik Eckardt
Vikings get Pick No. 29
Chiefs get Nos. 49, 82, and a 2027 4th-Rounder
In 2012, the Minnesota Vikings traded back into the first round to select safety Harrison Smith with the 29th overall pick. Now that his career is nearing its end, the franchise does the exact same thing, trading back into the first round to select Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman, a defender who has drawn some Smith comparisons.
6. Trade Back if Dillon Thieneman Is Not on the Board
VT Writer: Adam New
If Dillon Thieneman is on the board at 18, the Vikings should take him. If he is not, and assuming there’s not been a slide from one of the top prospects, I’m not seeing anyone else I’m desperate for the Vikings to take at 18. A trade down that brings an extra Day 2 pick would be a smart move.
7. Trade Back with Steelers at No. 21
VT Writer: Tony Schultz
The Vikings have two compounding problems: too much money spent on free agents who are no longer with the team, and some bad past drafts. These have left them up against the cap, even though Rob Brzezinski dug them out of a hole they’re dangerously close to the edge of.
They have nine picks, which is good, but three of them are in the 7th round, with the cap being so tight. They need to pick the right guy, but I always like it when a team is savvy in their strategy. One trade I would like to see is them trade back with the Steelers to the 21st pick in Round 1.
Pittsburgh has the draft capital to do it with a 2nd-Round pick and multiple 3rd-Round picks. I think the Vikings could sneak back a few and still snag Dillon Thieneman at No. 21 and look like they did the right thing without fans crying foul.
They need to restock from the drafts they missed on and get the cap in a position to go back and fill holes with free agents, rather than using them as immediate supplements.
8. Trade into Late 20s of Round 1
VT Writer: Brevan Bane
I’m not super in love with many people who will be there at No. 18. Although I’m a huge Emmanuel McNeil-Warren guy, I still hesitate to gamble that high of a selection on a safety. Trading back late into the 1st Round will still have you in position to strike on a Top 4 or 5 corner, and possibly a Top 2 DT, all while gaining some valuable mid-round capital.
9. Trade Back into Bottom Section of Round 1
VT Writer: Wes Johnson
The Vikings, like many teams, will be looking to trade back in the draft this year. With a lack of true blue-chip prospects, but a lot of green or above-average prospects, it makes a ton of sense to attempt to grab more draft capital. There are roughly 50 prospects who fit this bill.
The Vikings also find themselves in a deep draft at positions of need (safety, defensive tackle, wide receiver, linebacker) or a relatively weak class at other positions (running back, quarterback). This all sets Rob Brzezinski and Kevin O’Connell up to take the best player available and, hopefully, add a handful of quality depth pieces that the team has been lacking due to recent draft whiffs.
10. Trade for a 2nd-Rounder
VT Writer: Josh Frey
Whether it’s a trade involving draft picks or a player like Jonathan Greenard, the Vikings should do what they can to acquire an additional 2nd-Round pick. There will be talent to be had at running back, cornerback, and defensive tackle, all of which are positions of need on this current roster. If the Vikings land quality players at all three positions in this draft, they’ll be in much better shape for 2026
11. Trade for a 4th-Rounder
VT Writer: Ali Siddiqui
This will sound boring, but they should trade for a 4th-rounder. They don’t have one currently but have two 5th-rounders. Try to move into the 4th Round.
12. Get More Day 2 Picks
VT Writer: Henrique Gucciardi
The Vikings need more young players, but they also need them to contribute. Although this class doesn’t have many elite prospects, there are plenty of good players in the middle rounds. Jonathan Greenard and J.J. McCarthy have been subjects of trade rumors, and even though I wouldn’t like to see them go, having two or three more picks in the Top 100 could be beneficial in the long run.
Honorable Mention: No Trade at All
VT Writer: Kyle Joudry
The best trade the Vikings would make is the trade that doesn’t happen. Sometimes, the best deals are the ones where someone simply says “no.” In other words, stick at No. 18 and let a great talent fall into that slot. Wise teams know how to do this.
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