The trade deadline is coming up and the Minnesota Vikings have likely made themselves buyers with a 22-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
It’s quite simple for the Vikings. They have played really well against quality opponents all season, but haven’t been able to finish the job. Why haven’t they been able to finish games? Lack of discipline, mainly with ball control.
The Vikings have turned it over 14 times this season while forcing just nine themselves with six of them coming in their last two games and seven of them forced in their three wins.
They are currently just 0.5 games out of a wild card spot and two games out of the NFC North division lead with five of their six division games still left to play.
Earlier this week, I explored players that the Vikings could target that could help the team immediately and in the future. Most of those were established players that would cost significant draft capital
However, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has shown a willingness to gamble on talent and upside with the use of a Moneyball approach. He did so with Jalen Reagor and Ross Blacklock. I identified five players the Vikings could target to use the same philosophy.
Bills CB Kaiir Elam
The Bills moved up in the 2022 NFL draft to select Elam thinking he would be their answer at cornerback opposite of TreDavious White. Unfortunately, that hasn’t worked out due to injuries and lack of development. Elam is in a similar position that Andrew Booth Jr. was in before he started playing two weeks ago. Could a change of scenery and Brian Flores’ man coverage-heavy scheme make an impact and flip the script of his career? It’s worth a gamble.
Predicted cost: Late-round pick swap
Colts OLB Kwity Paye
It was no secret that the Vikings wanted Paye in the 2021 NFL draft. If they ended up staying at 14th overall, it was a decision between Paye and Darrisaw. Now that the Vikings have Darrisaw, they still have to find a pass rusher opposite of Danielle Hunter. Paye has missed time each season since entering the NFL and has only 13.0 sacks to his name through 2.5 seasons. The Colts might not be willing to move on from Paye, but a high enough offer could pry him away. His insane agility in this defense could be a massive benefit opposite of Hunter.
Predicted cost: Day 2 pick
Saints OLB Payton Turner
Taken just seven picks after Paye, Turner was of a similar mold to Marcus Davenport. In a similar career path, Turner has not lived up to his draft stock, both due to inconsistent play and injuries. He has all the size and length you might want but only playing in 14 games isn’t a great start, including not being a guarantee to make the opening day roster this season. Turner is currently on injured reserve after having surgery to fix a turf toe, but this is the exact prototype player that Adofo-Mensah has taken a shot on in the past. He could be primed to do it again.
Predicted cost: Late-round pick
Titans CB Caleb Farley
Farley has had one of the more unfortunate starts to a career in recent memory. He was my top cornerback in the 2021 NFL draft but a back injury hindered him at the end of his college career and into the NFL. Pair that with a torn ACL and Farley has only played in 12 games so far in his career. He is currently on the PUP list dealing with said back injury and the tragic death of his father in a house explosion. Injuries have hindered him, but if he can stay healthy, Farley has a lot of talent. The Titans already look to be sellers and Farley could potentially be had on the cheap.
Predicted cost: Late round pick
Cardinals LB Zaven Collins
The previous regime drafted Collins to be an inside linebacker despite his freakish athlete with great size. When Jonathan Gannon coming in, they have started playing him more as an edge rusher. So far this season, Collins has 12 pressures on 120 pass rushes, including playing some in coverage as well. Do the Cardinals new regime have him as a key component to their rebuild or would they be willing to move on from him? He feels like an Anthony Barr hybrid player that could be used everywhere and Brian Flores could use him everywhere.
Predicted cost: 3rd-4th round pick
