The Vikings’ Trade Possibilities to Address Glaring Weakness
So much of the plan hinged on Ryan Kelly, the veteran center who earned an All Pro spot in Indianapolis while being sent to the Pro Bowl four times. He’ll be capable of getting back to the Vikings in Week 10, but that’s a best-case scenario.
So, one wonders about the Vikings’ trade possibilities.
Could there be an emphasis on the offensive line ahead of the deadline? Last season, Minnesota lost Christian Darrisaw for the season, prompting Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to bring Cam Robinson to town. Some precedent, then, to make a move if the right deal emerges. Does that willingness to invest in the trenches involve yet another move, one aimed at restoring the center position to better protect J.J. McCarthy?
The Vikings’ Trade Possibilities at Center
The option exists that Minnesota feels confident in the in-house depth.
Michael Jurgens is working back from injury. As a result, the Vikings will soon be able to lean on their main backup at center. The sophomore 7th-Round selection isn’t a world beater but he’s a natural center. Otherwise, there could be continued reliance on Blake Brandel. Mr. Brandel has a seemingly endless supply of versatility, making him a valued part of the o-line.
Truth be told, Jurgens and Brandel are nice fill-ins, but likely not more than that.
Brandel, quite possibly, could turn into a solid option, especially as someone who sees the game well and who has a great understanding of the O’Connell offense. Could he do the mental heavy lifting that Ryan Kelly was going to be tasked with? Reading a defense correctly before then adjusting the protection is an area where McCarthy may still need some help since he’s so young and inexperienced. Maybe Brandel can be that player.
But, best case, that’s living in the land of “maybe.” Can the Vikings set their sights higher? If so, what options could plausibly be out there?
Well, consider the basic reality that the NFL has already seen some shuffling take place (such as the Browns moving on from Joe Flacco). More moves appear likely to follow as teams settle into the reality of who they are in the 2025 season. Offseason hope slowly cedes ground as reality demands some groups acknowledge an obvious reality: a Super Bowl isn’t happening in the present moment, meaning the focus shifts toward the future.
In particular, one wonders if the hapless New Orleans Saints (1-4) and/or the disastrous Cleveland Browns (1-4) would be open to doing business. Consider some basics about the starting centers in question.
The Saints employ Erik McCoy, a 28-year-old center who was chosen at No. 48 back in the 2019 NFL Draft. McCoy has ample experience — 86 games in the NFL — equipping him to decode defenses. Plus, he is coming in as PFF’s 9th-best center with a healthy 70.5 overall grade. Particularly encouraging is his 81.5 pass-block grade, a number that sits at first in the NFL.
Most of McCoy’s $8,351,000 cap charge would stay back in New Orleans with a trade.
And then one wonders about Ethan Pocic from the Browns. The 30-year-old lineman entered the NFL as the No. 58 selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 320 pounds, Pocic has unusual size for the position. He sits at 17th in the PFF rankings for centers, boasting a 62.7 grade alongside a pass-blocking grade that’s sitting at a healthy 66.4 (good for 9th in the league).
Pocic possesses a $7,764,000 cap charge, most of which would get sent over to Minnesota in a swap.
In each instance, the Vikings would be welcoming a player who could bridge the gap between Ryan Kelly and Michael Jurgens (or Blake Brandel). In each instance, a sinking ship of a team would be offloading an older player in a move to recoup cap space and a draft pick.
Currently, the Vikings are working toward restoring what has been a battered and bruised offensive line. Seeing Christian Darrisaw prove capable of playing every snap will be a nice boost. So, too, will the reinsertion of Donovan Jackson into the lineup. Getting the left side of the offensive line in place is a positive development for J.J. McCarthy (and the ground game).
On the other side is Will Fries, Minnesota’s only starter to play the full season. Nicknamed “Spud,” Mr. Fries has been locking down the RG1 position while the right tackle position has leaned on a combination of Brian O’Neill, Justin Skule, and Walter Rouse.
And then there’s that starter spot at center, the position that Ryan Kelly was supposed to hold down after agreeing to a two-year, $18 million deal in March. His concussion injuries mean that Minnesota should be ultra cautious with his return. One way of ensuring caution is by beefing up the position.
Teams going nowhere quick who have veteran options at center may be more inclined to do a deal. Accordingly, the Vikings’ trade possibilities at center will presumably be a point of consideration at TCO Performance Center during the bye.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
