If the Vikings fail at big game hunting, they should target these less expensive options at the NFL Trade Deadline
The National Football League trade deadline is coming sooner rather than later and the Minnesota Vikings could end up being major players. SKOR North's Darren Wolfson believes the Vikings could offer their first round pick at the deadline for a player that could help them long-term. Two players that have been mentioned are New York […]
The National Football League trade deadline is coming sooner rather than later and the Minnesota Vikings could end up being major players.
SKOR North's Darren Wolfson believes the Vikings could offer their first round pick at the deadline for a player that could help them long-term. Two players that have been mentioned are New York Giants DT Dexter Lawrence and Tennessee Titans DT Jeffery Simmons. However, even with the Vikings potentially wanting those players, the teams that have them would have to be willing to trade them and that's an entirely different story.
If the Vikings fail to go big game hunting, they could still end up getting a talented player for a smaller cost but still make a big impact. These players fit the bill.
Cleveland Browns CB Greg Newsome II
Newsome is often the forgotten player on the Browns defense. He has mostly been relegated to playing in the slot but it's not due to his level of talent, they have two other really good cornerbacks in Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson. You don't want to move Ward to the inside and that isn't in Emerson's skillset.
Newsome has one more year on his contract but it's the fifth-year option valued at over $13 million next year that could cause the Browns to move Newsome. He has versatility to play anywhere and attacks the ball well with 26 pass breakups in his career, which is 11.4% of all targeted passes. He could be a cornerstone for the Vikings secondary for the next few years.
Tennessee Titans CB Roger McCreary
The Titans have gone on somewhat of a fire sale. On Wednesday, they traded wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs and linebacker Ernest Jones to the Seattle Seahawks. There have been rumblings about defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons but that was shut down. One of the players who could be on the block is McCreary.
The starting nickel back for the Titans, McCreary has played a heavy amount of snaps for the Titans. He played 1,164 as a rookie and 934 last season but has played just 268 this season. One of the reasons is the emergence of rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. The Vikings could use some help at cornerback and McCreary has been solid, especially in allowing his coverage responsibility to score. After allowing seven touchdowns as a rookie, McCreary has allowed just one on 111 targets and 82 receptions.
Dallas Cowboys DT Osa Odighizua
One of the areas the Vikings need to attack the most is their interior pass rush. They aren't generating much of anything from their defensive lineman and relying on three and four edge rusher packages and their NFL-best blitz rate to get to the quarterback.
There is something to be said for Brian Flores' approach that's working, but improving the talent will make things much easier. Odighizua was a third-round pick in 2021 and has been a quality interior pass rusher for the Cowboys all four years. Pro Football Focus has him with 17 pressures so far this season along with 44 last season and 38 in each of his first two seasons. Odighizua is arguably the best interior pass rusher available on the market this upcoming offseason and the Vikings could have serious interest.
Denver Broncos DT D.J. Jones
Jones is an interesting one. While he is a talented player, the Broncos are currently 4-3 and might not want to trade any of their players. As things stand, Jones is on the final year of his contract and is set to be a free agent after this season.
ESPN's Ben Solak believes the Vikings should try and target Jones.
Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones. Jones has been a handy player for a quality Broncos defense, so I'm not sure how gettable he is right now — but he is a veteran in the last year of his deal, so it's worth making the call. Vikings fans are hoping for Jeffery Simmons or Dexter Lawrence II, but Jones would give them the stout and reliable nose tackle play they need at a fraction of the cost.
It would also give the Vikings a chance to take a look at Jones right now with the potential to sign him to an extension this offseason.
Top tier players the Vikings need to target by using their big time bargaining chip on ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline
These players could make a major impact on the Vikings
