Minnesota Vikings need to make former All-Pro their top target to make a Super Bowl run, and he’s the perfect mentor for emerging star
The trade deadline is coming up for the Minnesota Vikings, and there is one fascinating name to consider more than others.
With the trade deadline coming up, the Minnesota Vikings are very likely to be aggressive. General manager Nolan Teasley was part of some very aggressive front offices with the Seattle Seahawks, and they weren’t shy about trying to find answers in any way possible.
One area that the team could use help is one that you likely aren’t considering: defensive line. While they have been good across the board, are they trustworthy for a playoff run? Jalen Redmond is a great player, but they don’t have another player on their roster who is a plus starter. Luckily for the Vikings, there is an option for the stretch run.
The Vikings should pursue a DeForest Buckner trade
The Indianapolis Colts are a fascinating team. Earlier on Monday, they fired general manager Chris Ballard after starting the season at 2-4. Across the league, players are being discussed as potential trade candidates, including running back Jonathan Taylor, safety Cam Bynum, and left guard Quenton Nelson. While those are all good candidates, the Vikings should make one of them a priority:
DeForest Buckner.
First off, you can always use more defensive line help. Every Super Bowl winner from the past decade has either had an alpha like Aaron Donald or a very deep pass rush room. Right now, the Vikings don’t truly have either. Now, Dallas Turner could be that alpha, but he isn’t there yet. The addition of Buckner could be a huge addition. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2020 and second-team in 2019. In his career, Buckner has 75.5 sacks and already has 4.0 this season.
Needless to say, he’s frustrated with where things are at.
Now, why would the Vikings make the move? He’s a good pass rusher still, and could maybe be had for a third-round pick, plus another on day three. He wouldn’t just give the Vikings a player who could be impactful as a rusher, but also someone who could mentor Caleb Banks.
There aren’t many defensive linemen built like Banks, but Bucker certainly is one. They are eerily similar in a lot of ways, from height to arm length and their explosiveness. While his RAS is lower than Banks, it’s because he was graded as a DE rather than a DT.
One thing the Seahawks did was bring in players with an in-season trade as a means to improve the roster long-term. That is exactly what the Vikings could do here. While Buckner isn’t going to be an elite player long-term, he can be an invaluable asset for the next few years, helping Banks learn how to better use his frame to be a penetrator on the interior.
Banks already has the goods to make it happen, and he’s flashed it.
Acquiring him will likely cost a minimal price as well, being on an expiring contract. If the Vikings give up a third-round pick, likely the one from the Eagles, it could probably get it done. Will Teasley be able to make it happen? Only time will tell with the trade deadline coming on November 10th, but it could be a huge win for them this season.
