The Minnesota Vikings’ decision to place Justin Jefferson on injured reserve this week made an already difficult season even more bleak. The Vikings have won only one of their first five games and the loss of their star wide receiver for at least four games has left many wondering whether the front office will decide to make moves by the Oct. 31 trade deadline.
If the Vikings trade veterans, it would land them draft picks and, if the team isn’t going to compete for a playoff spot, there would be few complaints about general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah turning his focus to the future.
The name that gets brought up most often is quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is in the final season of his contract. But the 35-year-old has a no-trade clause in his deal and it seems unlikely he would be willing to waive it unless his new team gave him a contract extension. That would require Cousins to be willing to commit to that club.
Why wouldn’t Cousins just play out his final season in Minnesota and then hit the free agent market and go through the same process he did in 2018 before signing with the Vikings? This would enable him to allow teams to bid on his services and give him far more control.
There are other players who would be easier to trade and could get the Vikings the type of return that would interest them. Here are five who could be candidates to be jettisoned before November.
Outside linebacker/pass rusher Danielle Hunter
The case to trade him: The Vikings got Hunter to end his training camp “hold in” by redoing the final season of his contract and giving him a one-year deal worth $17 million guaranteed and up to $20 million total. The three-time Pro Bowl selection has a team-leading six sacks and remains a dynamic edge rusher at the age of 28. The question is do the Vikings want to sign him to a rich multiyear contract after this season? His age and injury history — he missed all of 2020 and a large portion of 2021 — make both topics an issue. The Vikings also gave up the right to place the franchise tag on Hunter when they agreed to his reworked deal. Hunter might be the best trade chip the Vikings and that would include Cousins.
Potential return: You would think a competitive team that wants to upgrade its pass rush would be willing to give up a first- or second-round pick for Hunter. If it’s a first-rounder it likely would be late but that would give the Vikings some flexibility to package picks to move up. Especially if they land a top-10 pick in the opening round because of where they finish.
Wide receiver K.J. Osborn
The case to trade him: The wide receiver is in the final season of his rookie contract and seems likely to explore free agency. Jefferson is one of the best receivers in the NFL and Jordan Addison wasn’t selected in the opening round so he could sit behind Osborn. Osborn has 13 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns in five games this season and last year caught 60 passes for 650 yards with five touchdowns. Not bad for a guy who was selected by former general manager Rick Spielman to serve as a kick returner. The Vikings like Osborn, but unless they are going to bring him back why not try to get something for him?
Potential return: Jefferson’s injury might make the Vikings think about trading Osborn, but if they got the right return it would make sense. You likely would get a day three pick back for Osborn, but something would be better than nothing. That Saturday selection could be helpful in another draft weekend trade.
Left guard Ezra Cleveland
The case to trade him: This one is interesting. Cleveland was a second-round pick in 2020, the same year the Vikings took Osborn in the fifth round, and also is in the final season of his contract. When the Vikings picked Cleveland, the assumption was that he would remain at offensive tackle, a position he played at Boise State. Cleveland, however, was moved to right guard by the Vikings in 2020 and shifted to the left side the following year. The buzz is that Cleveland would like to play tackle and that isn’t going to happen with Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill holding down the left and right tackles spots, respectively. Moving Cleveland in a lost season makes a lot of sense and also might be the reason the Vikings signed veteran right guard Dalton Risner earlier this year.
Potential return: Good offensive line help isn’t easy to find and the assumption is Cleveland would remain at guard with his new team. But the ability to play for a winner and then put himself on the free agent market as a tackle might interest Cleveland. I’m guessing you would get a day three pick for him but if it’s a third- or fourth-rounder you take it. Especially if he’s set on leaving Minnesota.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks
The case to trade him: Hicks had an outstanding game against the Chiefs, at least according to Pro Football Focus, and he’s the type of player who could help a team in need of a veteran linebacker. The 31-year-old is in his second season with the Vikings and ninth season overall. He agreed to a restructured contract with the Vikings last March that saved Minnesota $1.5 million against its salary cap for 2023. This is the final season of his contract and it’s unlikely he will return.
Potential return: Very small. Maybe a seventh-round or sixth-rounder, if there is a pick swap involved. This would be more to get a veteran to a place where he would have a chance to win and also add a late pick.
Safety Harrison Smith
The case to trade him: The 34-year-old safety could help a contender, but would the Vikings be willing to move off the veteran? He’s played his entire 12-year career in Minnesota and took a pay cut to stay with the team last season. Smith will turn 35 in February and has two seasons remaining on his contract after this one. It seems like a long shot he will be around next season; his salary cap hit is scheduled to jump from $11.8 million to $19.2 million and then $22 million. If Smith is traded, it likely will be because he agreed that at this stage of his career chasing a Super Bowl ring was something he wanted to do.
Potential return: Smith has been selected to six Pro Bowls and could be headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when his career is finished. But at this stage, he probably would only get the Vikings a late-round draft pick and this might be one player the franchise doesn’t want to deal for a sixth- or seventh-round selection.
