A trade for Titans DT Jeffery Simmons could propel the Vikings to the Super Bowl
Nobody expected a 5-1 start from the Minnesota Vikings this season, especially since they were expecting this to be a reset year after moving on from the likes of Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter. Low and behold, they got through the toughest part of their schedule with just one blemish and a +61-point differential this […]
Nobody expected a 5-1 start from the Minnesota Vikings this season, especially since they were expecting this to be a reset year after moving on from the likes of Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter.
Low and behold, they got through the toughest part of their schedule with just one blemish and a +61-point differential this season. That has the fanbase and the franchise seeing this just a bit differently.
They are primed for a potential Super Bowl run.
With the trade deadline approaching, the Vikings could be a big buyer. If they do end up making a move, a trade for Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons could be the catalyst to a Lombardi Trophy.
Jeffery Simmons is a dominant force
The Vikings and Simmons will always be oddly connected. They could have selected Simmons at 18th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft but passed on him for Garrett Bradbury. The Titans ended up taking him one pick later. Since then, Bradbury has been a liability at times as a pass protector and Simmons has been a dominant force.
Over his six year career, Simmons has played in 73 total games and has accumulated 27.5 sacks and 41.0 tackles for loss. Simmons also was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in both 2021 and 2022. He's been able to be a dominant force with consistency and it's been a great for a Titans team that has been solid defensively over the last few years.
What would a Jeffery Simmons trade look like?
This is a difficult question to answer. When I took a look at what a trade for Dexter Lawrence, I found there aren't a lot of comparisons to make to an elite-level defensive lineman being traded, because it just doesn't happen. This is what I found:
When looking at potential comparison points for a trade, there isn't a lot to look at. The only close comparison at defensive tackle was DeForest Buckner when he got traded in March of 2020. The 49ers received the 13th overall pick for Buckner and trades have evolved since then.
Another close comparison would be the Denver Broncos trading edge rusher Bradley Chubb to the Miami Dolphins for a first-round pick, fourth-round pick and running back Chase Edmonds. Lawrence is a better player than Chubb at this stage, but it's a good starting point.
The one element with the Buckner trade is that the 13th overall pick was already decided, so it was worth more than just a future first-round pick because there was a tangible slot with that pick. The 13th overall pick is much better than say the 27th overall pick, or if the Vikings won the Super Bowl, the 32nd overall pick.
Simmons is one of the better defensive tackles in the game and his contract is proof of that. He has some hefty base salaries over the next four seasons.
- 2024: $16.5 million
- 2025: $17.5 million
- 2026: $20.173 million
- 2027: $23 million
The Vikings could easily absorb the salary for Simmons this season (since it's prorated) and beyond. They are projected to have $75 million in salary cap space next season and giving it to a player like Simmons would be a great way to use it.
It's not just about the financials, Simmons would make a major difference to what the Vikings do on defense. One of the reasons that the Vikings end up blitzing heavily is the lack of interior presence. Harrison Phillips is a solid player but isn't known for being a great pass rusher. What he does do well is play the run very effectively but a running mate would be incredibly impactful.
If you can get pressure with three or four rushers regularly, concepts like dagger wouldn't be nearly as effective because there would be more players in coverage while also getting to the quarterback. If you can get home consistently with four players, it would be a huge win for the Vikings and how Brian Flores wants to run his defense.
If the Vikings were to make an offer, it would be a substantial one, but less than what they offered the Giants for Lawrence. They would also try to get back a pick this year so they don't have only three picks. Would the Titans even be interested in a trade? That will be the other element critical to making a trade work, but the Vikings should do whatever they can to make one happen.
Projected trade: Vikings send 2025 first-round pick and 2026 second-round pick to the Titans for Jeffery Simmons and 2025 third-round pick
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