Vikings Reportedly Exploring the Trade Market

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has not been afraid to pull off trades in his three years and seven months in charge of the organization. T.J. Hockenson, Joshua Dobbs, Cam Akers, and Cam Robinson are just four trade acquisitions at the trade deadline. In need of a new pass-catcher, he could explore that market once again.
Vikings Reportedly Exploring the Trade Market

The franchise is slowly running out of receivers with Jordan Addison suspended for Weeks 1 through 3 and Rondale Moore having to be placed on season-ending IR with his significant knee injury. Recently, there has been some concern about Jalen Nailor, who sustained a hand injury last week, and the Vikings have not revealed any details.
Free agency in August is always a nightmare, although Amari Cooper and Gabe Davis might have some juice left. Yet, the trade market could be a serious option, according to Tom Pelissero.
The newsbreaker reported Wednesday morning, “With Jordan Addison suspended and multiple injuries, the #Vikings are seriously exploring veteran receivers in the trade market, per sources. All-Pro Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is on track for Week 1. His early-season running mate may not be on the roster.”
When Pelissero reports something like this, we’re past the speculation phase and talks are actually happening. He added, “No trade is imminent. But Minnesota is actively looking, with six days to cutdown.”

Cutdown day is on Tuesday, when the Vikings and all other 31 teams have to trim their roster to only 53 players. Trading minor draft pick compensation to secure the rights of one player on the chopping block is smart business for both teams.
At this point, if Nailor joins Addison and Moore on the sidelines, it would be Jefferson and one of Lucky Jackson, Tai Felton, or Jeshaun Jones starting, and nobody wants to see that. J.J. McCarthy needs a second NFL-caliber target on the outside in his first career start, and none of those guys (Jefferson aside) has caught a pass in the league. On the bright side, at least T.J. Hockenson is a full-go this year.
Who could that trade acquisition be? Well, now we’re reaching the speculation zone.
The team that just visited the Vikings for joint practices, the New England Patriots, doesn’t have a top receiving room, but it’s a deep group, and a reliable weapon like Kendrick Bourne could be available. Not a star by any means, but he secured roughly 700 yards and five touchdowns in 20 games over the last two seasons.
Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports wrote, “The Patriots revamped at wide receiver this offseason, adding Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency and Kyle Williams in the third round of the draft. All three are roster locks, while Efton Chism III was noticeable in the joint practices with the Vikings. DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte also seem to have their spots secured.”

According to him, Bourne is in danger of being cut.
Ja’Lynn Polk, a 2024 second-rounder, as well as fourth-rounder Javon Baker, are in the same boat. Of those nine players, at least two won’t be on the team by Week 1.
Comparable is the situation in Buffalo. The Bills don’t employ any star wideouts, but they have sophomore Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, and Joshua Palmer. Perhaps Elijah Moore is expendable.
Tampa Bay’s Trey Palmer has been thrown into the rumor mill in recent weeks. He offers receiver and return skills, and was just a depth player for the Buccaneers. With Jalen McMillan’s new injury that will cost him some of the upcoming season, that situation might have changed, though.
Don’t expect the trade rumors to stop anytime soon. The Vikings are short-staffed and need another body or two in that room.