Top tier players the Vikings need to target by using their big time bargaining chip on ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline
Could the Minnesota Vikings offer up their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to get a player at the trade deadline? SKOR North's Darren Wolfson believes that could be the case. "I'm telling you, they are absolutely having discussions. I will be shocked if I hear otherwise. I'm going to believe this that at […]
Could the Minnesota Vikings offer up their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to get a player at the trade deadline? SKOR North's Darren Wolfson believes that could be the case.
"I'm telling you, they are absolutely having discussions. I will be shocked if I hear otherwise. I'm going to believe this that at least have to consider putting that first round pick on the table."
It shouldn't be too much of a surprise that the Vikings would be willing to give up their first-round pick for two reasons:
- They will likely target a long-term answer over a rental
- This year's NFL Draft doesn't have a lot of high-end talent
Now, just because they would offer a first-round pick for a talented player, doesn't mean that's the entire trade package with the Vikings sending more assets out or getting something else in return.
Who could they be looking to acquire? There are a few options that are really intriguing.
New York Giants DT Dexter Lawrence II
Lawrence is the one that fans have been clamoring for this season, especially after he smoked the Vikings in week one. I wrote about the idea after week five and came to this conclusion as potential compensation.
Projected trade compensation: Vikings send 2025 first round pick and 2026 first and fourth round picks to the Giants for Dexter Lawrence and a 2025 second round pick
Would the Giants even want to move Lawrence? They did just sign him to a huge extension this offseason and traded for Brian Burns to really fortify their defensive front. It would take a large deal to make a trade work but the Vikings would be able to offer an intriguing package, especially with this year's defensive line class primed to be one of the best in some time.
Likelihood of happening: 3/10
Tennessee Titans DT Jeffery Simmons
If Lawrence isn't an option, Simmons should be at the top of the list. The 19th overall pick in 2019 was taken one pick after the Vikings selected center Garrett Bradbury. It's been a point of contention for many fans, especially with the interior of the defensive line being as poor as it has been in recent years.
Simmons is on a deal that the Vikings could easily absorb. Simmons is due $60.673 million over the next three seasons and the Vikings have a lot of salary cap flexibility at their disposal in the future, starting with a projected $75 million next season. It could also cost more than just one first-round pick, which would be fine to have him long-term.
Likelihood of happening: 6/10
Carolina Panthers CB Jaycee Horn
The Panthers are not in a great spot right now. They thought when they traded the farm to take Bryce Young at first overall last season, they would be in a potential win-now window. Ultimately, that hasn't happened and the Panthers have benched Young.
As much as they might not want to admit it, they are staring down another rebuild, especially without their second-round pick this year. Horn has just his fifth-year option left on his contract in 2025 and the Vikings could bring him in with the idea of keeping him long-term. I don't think Horn is worth a first-round pick this year, but you could make it a conditional second-round pick and put parameters on the pick that could elevate it to a first-round pick if they win a Super Bowl or end up signing him to an extension.
Likelihood of happening: 4/10
Cleveland Browns CB Denzel Ward
If you want to improve the secondary and take a big swing, Ward is the guy to do it with. The fourth overall pick in 2018 is just 27 years old and has been one of the better cornerbacks in the National Football League. He would immediately become your top cornerback and be solid in both man and zone coverage.
The tough part about this move is the salary cap implications the Browns could be facing. Over The Cap has the Browns facing a dead cap hit of up to $30.396 million with both signing and option bonuses hitting the salary cap next season. If they could make a deal work with a first-round pick and maybe a slight kick back from the Browns, it could make things so much easier for the Vikings' defense.
Likelihood of happening: 4/10
A massive trade for Dexter Lawrence could catapult the Vikings to the Super Bowl this season
The Vikings could be primed for a blockbuster trade this year
Insider believes the Vikings will be aggressive at trade deadline, could offer their 2025 first round pick
The Vikings could be huge buyers at the deadline
