New Trade Targets Could Be Opening Up for the Vikings, Including a Stalwart CB
Josh Frey
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The NFL offseason largely is seen as a time for teams to fill out their rosters through free agency and the draft.
However, it is also a time where multiple players across the league become available via trade. Over the past few days, a few potential trade targets have opened up that could be interesting options for the Vikings as they attempt to rebuild their team for the 2024 season.
New Trade Targets for the Vikings
First and foremost amongst these new rumored names on the trade block is Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Sneed has spent each of his first four NFL seasons with the Chiefs and has been a crucial part of Super Bowl championships over the past two.
However, with the 2020 fourth-round pick’s rookie contract coming to an end, the Chiefs have a decision to make in regard to his future with the team. Initial reports have suggested that Kansas City will franchise tag him, but the team could also be open to conducting a trade prior to free agency.
Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this week, “#Chiefs have informed L’Jarius Sneed they are prepared to use the franchise tag and are open to consummate a trade off it if no long-term deal is reached, per source. Sneed is agreeable to the scenario, giving him chance to talk with other teams while K.C. remains in play.”
The Vikings certainly have plenty of capable bodies in their CB room right now, particularly if Akayleb Evans can bounce back from a disappointing conclusion to the 2023 season. However, particularly with Mekhi Blackmon and Byron Murphy being smaller players at the position, it feels like Minnesota could be a team looking to add a physical boundary corner to help them in man coverage.
Sneed has proven capable of filling that role on a championship defense, but the question will be the price tag that Kansas City applies to the veteran.
The other trade that the Vikings have seen themselves connected to this week involves New York Jets QB Zach Wilson. The Jets gave the second overall pick from the 2021 NFL Draft permission to seek a trade this week as they hope to move into the 2024 season with Aaron Rodgers back in the starting lineup.
For instance, The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt wrote: “Kirk Cousins is a free agent, and Minnesota doesn’t have any young quarterbacks on the roster worth developing. In addition, quarterback-friendly coach (Kevin O’Connell) has a proven history of putting his QBs in position to succeed. This is the most intriguing potential destination.”
Certainly, this wouldn’t be a trade that solves Minnesota’s immediate QB problem if Cousins were to depart the team in free agency. Wilson started 11 games for the Jets this past season, completing a career-high 60.1% of his passes for 2271 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
This trade would also reunite Wilson with his former collegiate teammate, Jaren Hall, who served as Wilson’s backup during their time together at BYU. It should be considered a longshot for the Vikings as they try to find a true QB of the future, but not impossible if some options come off the table.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.