The Wide World Of Viking Trade Deadline Options
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
With the Minnesota Vikings climbing to 6-2 on Sunday ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, many are wondering if this team is still looking to make another move. The Vikes have already been aggressive, snagging both Cam Robinson and Cam Akers. And despite winning last night, Minnesota showed they still have flaws to patch up.
Though it is possible the Vikings front office stands pat and lets the deadline come and go, this front office has shown they are not hesitant to deal draft picks to improve their team now. Knowing that they have to chase the Detroit Lions, and perhaps face them in the playoffs, the front office could look to stock up on talent and push for the division crown as the team gets into the soft.
Let’s look at some players the Vikings could add through the trade deadline, ranging from the biggest pipe dreams to realistic targets. We’re going to focus on the team’s biggest positions of need: defensive tackle, cornerback, and interior offensive line.
Dream Scenario
Dexter Lawrence, DT, New York Giants
The Giants are one of the worst teams in the NFL, but no one can blame game-wrecking nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, who has elevated his game to yet another level this season. Vikings fans remember Lawrence from the playoffs two seasons ago, when he obliterated Garrett Bradbury and the rest of the interior offensive line all game and the Giants took down the Vikings.
Reiterating that the Vikings lost b/c of their defense. NOT this play. But here is a wider view of what Kirk Cousins saw on 4th down. Dexter Lawrence bearing down on him. Jefferson doubled. Thielen working deep out. Osborn is about to pop open when Cousins decides. pic.twitter.com/z6vppEnagO
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 16, 2023
Lawrence has been outstanding this season, leading the Giants pass rush and sitting second in the NFL with 9.0 sacks as a nose tackle, something that is almost unheard of. He has totaled 32 pressures and has feasted on opposing interior lines while recording a PFF grade of 89.9. The biggest weakness on the Vikings’ defense right now is their interior defensive line, and Lawrence would solve that easily.
This move is extremely unlikely, however, as the Giants will be hesitant to part with the early front-runner for DPOY, even during a rebuild. If they were willing to part with him it would likely cost the Vikings around two first-round picks, plus additional mid-round picks to secure Sexy Dexy.
Is it worth it? Arguably. Lawrence is under contract for another three seasons at an extremely friendly cap hit of around $25 million a year. While it is unlikely, it is fun to imagine what he could do in his prime partnered with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel.
Jeffery Simmons, DT, Tennessee Titans
Another dominant defensive tackle on a clearly-rebuilding team, Simmons might be about a half-step below Lawrence. Still, that amounts to one of the elite players in the league at his position. Despite missing a game due to injury, Simmons still has recorded 3.0 sacks and 19 pressures from the interior.
Jeffery Simmons generated a season-high 7 pressures and a sack on 37 pass rushes (18.9%) in Week 9 against the Patriots, including 3 pressures in under 2.5 seconds.
He's now recorded at least a 15.0% pressure rate in two consecutive games (per NFL Pro). pic.twitter.com/RhYupnTgZ8
— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) November 4, 2024
Simmons remains one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL, and could only raise the ceiling of Minnesota’s already-stellar unit. Despite being in a rebuild with no offensive identity, the Titans will likely be hesitant to trade away their star lineman, who is only 27 years old and has years of team control still left.
The Vikings should definitely inquire about Simmons, but they may find the asking price — likely a first-round pick, along with even more draft capital — too steep… and that’s if the Titans are even willing to deal him.
Never Say Never
Marshon Lattimore, CB, New Orleans Saints
The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen after a disastrous loss to the Carolina Panthers. Now there are reports of a fire sale set to take place before Tuesday, the Vikings could look to pick at the remains of the Saints and take on Marshon Lattimore.
Lattimore, 28, is still one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL and likely would slot in to be the Vikings’ CB1 immediately. With a pass coverage grade of 71.6 and allowing just eight catches for a 77.4 passer rating on the season, it is clear that Lattimore still has plenty left in the tank. What makes this move a little bit more difficult is his contract situation.
While Lattimore has an out for $20 million next offseason, it seems unlikely that the Vikings would be willing to take on that much money for what could be just a rental. Even if they don’t cut him before next season, he would have a cap hit of $31 million next season and $28 the year after that.
Minnesota would need to convince the Saints to eat some of the contract. Despite this, the lack of draft capital available for this next draft, combined with the market for Lattimore makes this unlikely. Still, with the Vikings’ enviable cap situation over the next few years, this is the exact move they should look into.
Brandon Schreff, OG, Jacksonville Jaguars
Yes, the Jags appear to be clear sellers at the deadline, with the Vikings already raiding them once for Robinson. Picking off Brandon Schreff would be a cheap acquisition for the Vikings, who would add just $1.3 million to the cap for a right guard who has only allowed seven pressures and is miles ahead of Ed Ingram. The problem lies instead with the Vikings’ draft capital.
The Vikings only have three picks in this current draft class (before compensatory picks are allotted) with a first-rounder and two fifth-rounders. The Jaguars already own the Vikings’ third and fourth-rounders from the Vikings’ trade-up for Dallas Turner. They also own the Vikings 2025 fifth-rounder, which can potentially turn into a fourth-rounder based on Robinson’s playing time.
The Vikings could bank on the fact that they are likely to receive two third-round compensatory picks next season. Looking at it that way, they might be able to justify dealing one of their two fifth-rounders this season to get another cheap offensive lineman to shore up the horrendous interior offensive line. Still, it feels unlikely.
Buy-Low Candidates
Sebastian Joseph-Day, DT, Tennessee Titans
Sebastian Joseph-Day is the Titans’ other defensive tackle, and he is also having a very good season, racking up 3.0 sacks and 13 pressures on the year. Joseph-Day has benefited from playing alongside Simmons, who garners the bulk of the attention, but he has made the most of this with great games against the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins specifically.
Sebastian Joseph-Day takes down Caleb Williams for the sack #TitanUp
📺: #TENvsCHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/jO9gkSJcBL— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
Joseph-Day has had a terrific showing on a one-year prove-it deal at the age of 29, and likely would not cost the Vikings too much in trade compensation. If they were to pursue him, the Vikings may not need to surrender more than a later pick in 2026. The Titans have little need for him as things stand, and with him unlikely to re-sign, it would make sense for Tennessee to move on from him and recoup whatever value they can.
While this might not be the big splash everyone would be hoping for, adding Joseph-Day would give the Vikings another starting-level defensive tackle in a room that needs one.
Jonathan Jones, CB, New England Patriots
Jonathan Jones is another example of a veteran in the final year of his deal on a rebuilding team that could be moved at the deadline. Jones may be 31 years old, but is showing he can be useful at cornerback, posting a PFF coverage grade of 70.0 while primarily playing on the outside. The Patriots have already shown a willingness to trade away vets after they dealt Josh Uche to the Chiefs.
One thing that Jones would bring to the table is familiarity under Brian Flores and his scheme. Flores and Jones’ tenures overlapped in New England, and they both would likely have an understanding of one another and how to have sustained success. While it wouldn’t be the sexiest move, adding Jones would give the Vikings depth at the cornerback position, where they already are a little older and thin.
Wyatt Teller, OG, Cleveland Browns
By now, it is clear to everyone the Browns made a massive mistake by trading for Deshaun Watson. Now that the infamous QB is injured, they have a chance to potentially sell at the deadline and dip their toes into a bit of a rebuild by shedding some veterans.
One of those players they could deal is guard Wyatt Teller, who has allowed just one sack this season and just eight pressures. Teller has one season left on his deal after this year, and while his $22 million cap hit would be less-than-ideal for Minnesota to take on, we can be sure the Browns probably don’t want to pay it, either.
This gives the Vikings the perfect opportunity to deal one of their remaining picks for a player who immediately bolsters the offensive line, not just for this year, but for next year when they look to have J.J. McCarthy take over.
The Vikings can not ignore the woes in the interior offensive line, and adding Teller would likely also boost the game of Bradbury, as he would have more help on his right side. High price tag aside, it’d be a move that makes a lot of sense as the Vikings pursue contention over the next two seasons.
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