Instead of Choosing a RD1 Receiver, Perhaps the Vikings Will Trade For One
K. Joudry
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Apparently, the New York Giants are open to a trade involving Kadarius Toney, a first-round selection from last season’s draft. Some have questioned his desire to play football, and there was plenty of skepticism about New York’s decision to make him the 20th pick.
Even still, Toney is a former first rounder who is only 23. Coming into the draft, he received praise for his ability to be a weapon from the slot:
Toney is an electric slot receiver who’s continued to improve every season in Gainesville. He is much more satisfying than his size indicates because he’s electric with or without the ball in his grasp. His ceiling as a route-runner is a bit limited, but he was highly effective with the package that he was asked to run. Toney’s presence is always felt whether or not he has the ball, as he makes defenses account for him even if he’s strictly a motion player.
Some have been pushing for a purple receiver in the opening round of the draft. The offseason’s gigantic deals for receivers have scared many, prompting some to advocate for a continual commitment to bringing in receivers on cost-controlled rookie deals. Plus, Adam Thielen isn’t getting any younger. Receiver may thus be a sneaky need for Minnesota.
A Kadarius Toney trade is unlikely to happen, but it’s still a conversation worth having for the Vikings’ leadership.
New York isn’t going to get anything close to a first-round choice for Toney. As a rookie, Toney put together 39 catches for 420 yards (with 0 TDs). So, not exactly Justin Jefferson numbers, but a fair bit better than Laquon Treadwell’s rookie season. One wonders if his decent statistics would have been aided by playing with a better QB and for a better coaching staff. According to PFF, Toney did reasonably well. He finished the year with a 72.8 score, though he only played 301 snaps.
Minnesota, of course, will also need to factor in that he only played in 10 games last season with 4 starts.
A trade for Kadarius Toney would leave the Giants with a decent dead money hit. Minnesota, in turn, would have a lesser cap charge since New York retains some of that money. In other words, the Vikings could pull off a deal, at least from a financial perspective.
One wonders how much draft capital would need to be sent in New York’s direction. Minnesota, in all likelihood, wouldn’t be willing to part with too much beyond a mid-round selection, but perhaps a touch higher. As the draft inches closer, we may get clarity on a Toney trade sooner rather than later.
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