With just one preseason game ahead of Minnesota and a handful of roster cuts on the verge of taking place, trades are firmly in place to help trim the squad down as well. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has shown a willingness to facilitate trades in an effort to get his guys. With the upcoming season approaching, here are three trade for candidates and three trade away candidates for the Minnesota Vikings.
Trade For: DT Neville Gallimore
- Much like Ross Blacklock, Neville Gallimore is a defensive tackle that was drafted on Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft. And in similar fashion, Gallimore looks to be sizzling out in Dallas. With Hankins and Odighizuwa currently slated to start and first rounder Mazi Smith waiting in the wings, Gallimore may not be secure going into the final year of his rookie contract. Starting 14 games over three years, the former Sooner hasn’t been prolific. With just three sacks, seven QB hits, and nine tackles for loss, Gallimore hasn’t lived up to what many Cowboys fans had hoped for. Still though, good athleticism and a solid foundation of run stopping and pass rushing moves may provide value for a Minnesota unit who needs help along the defensive front.
Trade Away: WR Jalen Reagor
- After an abysmal start to his career, Reagor was acquired from Philadelphia last year to round out the receiving room. In one season, Reagor hasn’t had much of an impact. However, the former first round pick has currently been pacing all Vikings receivers. With 9 targets, 6 catches, and 65 yards, he currently has looked renewed. The issue for Minnesota is the receiver room looks loaded and someone will be the odd man out. Jefferson, Addison, Osborn, and most likely Nailor are locks at receiver. Thayer Thomas, N’Keal Harry, Brandon Powell, and Reagor are currently on the roster bubble. Though Reagor does provide value as a return man, if a receiver needy team comes knocking his most valuable asset may be the pick in return for his services. Pair with this the roster spot opening up and the other names that can return and a Reagor trade makes a ton of sense.
- Trade Destinations: Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders
Trade For: CB Levi Wallace
- Spending last season with Pittsburgh, Wallace would be a nice addition to a cornerback room that could see value from a variety of players. Though currently listed as a starter with the Steelers, the addition of Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan (both former Vikings) and Joey Porter Jr in the draft inspires little hope in Wallace’s starting position in Pittsburgh. With just a single year left on his contract, Wallace has the ability to play the perimeter and plays well against the run. As a corner, he’s not the soundest at staying tight with receivers, but familiarity with Brian Flores may push for this move to happen. Another name to look for is Nik Needham from Miami, who Flores also worked with during his Dolphins tenure. In either case, corner is a position Minnesota could look to add to help solidify their competitive chances even as they handle roster cuts.
Trade Away: OT Oli Udoh
- Going into his 5th season in the NFL, Udoh has been a name Vikings fans have come to know and come to know well. Starting 16 games in 2021, Udoh has played a handful of meaningful snaps in live NFL action. However, as Minnesota continues to build out their line, the swing tackle from Elon elected to resign with Minnesota in free agency this offseason. However, the emergence of Vederian Lowe paired with Blake Brandel and Ezra Cleveland’s versatility make Udoh someone Minnesota could send off if needed. Though he may not fetch a massive return, a team could do worse than adding a viable backup who can play four out of five spots on the line and spot start if needed. Truly, the question becomes is he more valuable to hold onto or to ship off and allow someone else the roster spot.
- Trade Destinations: Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs
Trade For: QB Malik Willis/QB Matt Corral
- Malik Willis and Matt Corral, two 2022 NFL Draft quarterbacks, saw a quick shift of the guard this offseason but could be a target for Minnesota during roster cuts. After disappointing rookie years, both prospects saw their team trade up for a highly touted prospect. In 2022, Willis started just three games, throwing only 246 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions. For Corral, his season never got going as he suffered a foot injury at the beginning of the season. The former Liberty prospect (Willis) would provide an interesting dual-threat QB to sit behind Cousins and in contrast, the Ole Miss gunslinger (Corral) would be a more prototypical passer to develop. Either way, both sophomore quarterbacks would provide an interesting third option to develop behind Cousins and Mullens. However, with the Will Levis injury, Willis may be much harder to acquire than he was.
Trade Away: CB Andrew Booth Jr
- As fans will cry this move will never happen, they’re probably right. However, Booth has struggled majorly since being a 2nd Rounder last year and he is far from bulletproof. As other players have started to excel in Flores’ new system, Booth continues to look out of place. Though he is only in his second year, the cornerback room has been overhauled and roster spots are limited. Byron Murphy Jr, Akayleb Evans, Mehki Blackmon, and Joejuan Williams look set to earn a roster spot at corner. Jay Ward provides versatility and Najee Thompson has made an impressive play for a spot purely as a special teams gunner. As there is still value in Booth’s name, Kwesi has shown a willingness to build a roster in unconventional ways. From acquiring highly drafted prospects who haven’t worked out to sending off fan favorites, it’s all analytics for him. In this case, the numbers may not add up for a roster spot with Minnesota, especially if the Vikings acquire another corner. Truly, a new home may be the right call for both parties as Minnesota looks to handle upcoming roster cuts.
- Trade Destinations: Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars
