Another Vikings Trade Has Firm Details Get Across the Finish Line
Before the 2022 season began, the Vikings made a move to reinforce the quarterback position. Veteran Nick Mullens was added to function as an upside backup to Kirk Cousins, someone to keep the ship afloat if the starter ever went down.
The Vikings trade cost was pretty cheap; Mullens got added for just a 7th-Round selection from the 2024 NFL Draft. Well, that event has finally slipped into the past, so we now know the end result. Las Vegas used No. 229 on MJ Devonshire, a corner who played his college ball at Pittsburgh.
Another Vikings Trade Firmed Up During 2024 Draft
Lately, the rumors have involved Nick Mullens moving in the opposite direction: being traded out rather than being brought in.
When he first arrived, Mullens was tasked with replacing Kellen Mond (who has gone on to have a tough time sticking around an NFL roster). Mullens went on to impress Minnesota’s decision makers since he snagged an extension after a single year of work. During the 2023 offseason, Mullens agreed to a two-year contract that promised to send over a total of $4 million.
Recently, Josh Frey took some time to consider teams that could have interest in improving their QB2 situation. Mullens is proposed as someone capable of helping in that area. Minnesota’s logjam at quarterback — a position that is featuring Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall — does point toward the need for some sort of resolution. Carrying four QBs into the season isn’t realistic.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas is moving ahead with a new defensive back to help Antonio Pierce’s defense.
The word on Devonshire, courtesy of the NFL website: “Devonshire is a cornerback with long arms and impressive ball production. He’s confident in press, allowing his athleticism to trace routes while instincts and agility key his work from zone. Devonshire locates the quarterback and ball flight fairly quickly with his back to the ball. He sits in the pocket of an average route runner and uses his length and reactive quickness to swat throws away. The long speed appears to be average and he picks up his share of flags with excessive grabbing against big targets downfield. A move to nickel is possible, and he has the athletic traits to make it work provided his run-support efforts don’t short-circuit his opportunity.”
The Vikings have also been working on their own corner situation in recent days. Veteran Joejuan Williams has been released, a decision that prefigured the re-signing of James Lynch. But then there’s also the word from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Jerry Jacobs will be visiting Minnesota.
So, much remains to be determined for Minnesota at corner, just as Minnesota’s quarterback situation is similarly looking for some clarity.
Since arriving in Minnesota, Nick Mullens has jumped into nine games, starting three. Last year, he completed 67.6% of his passes for 1,306 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. The turnovers are the main reason why the veteran didn’t stick in the starting lineup.
Mullens turned 29 on March 21st.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.
