Jonathan Greenard trade talk emerges, and the return package could define the Vikings’ roster blueprint
Finding the value of a Jonathan Greenard trade is a difficult task.
The Minnesota Vikings have officially been linked to a potential Jonathan Greenard trade, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday morning.
It’s quite the piece of news, as Greenard has been the centerpiece of Brian Flores’ defense for the last two seasons. However, the Vikings are currently up against it when it comes to the salary cap. They are currently projected to be $45 million over the salary cap. Reports have already surfaced that the Vikings will either trade or release running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.
What could the Vikings get in a trade? That in itself is an interesting discussion.
Projecting the value of a Jonathan Greenard trade
In order to figure out what a trade could look like, you have to look at previous trades at the position. I looked back at trades since 2018 with relevant edge rushers to try and figure it out.
| Year | Team | Assets Acquired | Assets Sent |
| 2025 | Green Bay Packers | Micah Parsons | Kenny Clark, 2026 1st, 2027 1st |
| 2024 | Atlanta Falcons | Matt Judon | 2025 3rd |
| 2024 | New York Jets | Hasson Reddick | Conditional 2026 3rd |
| 2024 | New York Giants | Brian Burns, 2024 5th | 2024 2nd, 2025 5th, 2025 5th |
| 2023 | San Francisco 49ers | Chase Young | 2024 3rd |
| 2023 | Chicago Bears | Montez Sweat | 2024 2nd |
| 2022 | Miami Dolphins | Bradley Chubb, 2025 5th | RB Chase Edmonds, 2023 1st, 2024 4th |
| 2022 | Los Angeles Chargers | Khalil Mack | 2022 2nd, 2023 6th |
| 2021 | Los Angeles Rams | Von Miller | 2022 2nd, 2022 3rd |
| 2019 | Seattle Seahawks | Jadeveon Clowney | 2020 3rd, EDGE Jacob Martin, EDGE Barkevious Mingo |
| 2018 | Los Angeles Rams | Dante Fowler Jr. | 2019 3rd, 2020 5th201 |
| 2018 | Chicago Bears | Khalil Mack, 2020 2nd, 2020 7th | 2019 1st, 2019 6th, 2020 1st, 2020 3rd |
Let’s start with the obvious. The first Khalil Mack and Micah Parsons trades won’t be good comps because Greenard is not a truly elite edge rusher. He is a tier or two below being a top 2-3 edge rusher. What he is as a player is a borderline elite pass rusher and run defender, something that is incredibly valuable in this league.
Greenard had a down statistical season for the Vikings, but his on-field impact was just as much. He had 47 pressures on 270 pass rush reps one season after getting 84 pressures on 556, and he was nearly an All-Pro for his efforts, finishing in the top-6 of voting. Not only did he pressure the quarterback at a high level in 2024, but Greenard also notched 12.0 sacks and 18 tackles for loss.
The two trades that make the most sense as far as trade comps go are Bradley Chubb and Brian Burns. The Carolina Panthers bombed their handling of Burns, as they could have landed two firsts the year prior from the Los Angeles Rams in a widely reported move.
The Chubb trade is interesting because he never put up a season better than the one Greenard had in 2024, and dealt with his fair share of injuries in the same light. The one thing that Chubb does have that Greenard doesn’t is first-round pedigree, as he was selected fifth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He went for a depth running back, 1st, and 4th, while sending back a fifth with Chubb.
That might be a little bit too much for Greenard coming off a down season, but his talent, ability, and production still warrant a first-round pick. He will produce in a big way for any style of defense, as he’s shown the ability to thrive in both an even and odd front. The tricky element is the shoulder injury he suffered and had surgery on this offseason. Will that come into play? Only time will tell.
Will a team be willing to send a first-round pick? I can’t say for sure, because trade values are never certain due to an ever-changing market. The discussions should start with a first-round pick and go from there.
Trade value: First-round pick with pick swaps on day three
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