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The Minnesota Vikings could be buyers at the NFL trade deadline in 3.5 weeks and have an unblemished 5-0 record through five games.
4 “dream trade” candidates for the Vikings
The club doesn’t have all that much 2025 draft capital to make a move, but if there’s a will, there’s a way. So those are four “dream trade” candidates for the purple team, ranked in ascending order (#1 = the almighty target).
Note: Not all of these players are realistically on the trading block, but it’s not entirely absurd that the Vikings could trade for them.
4. Amari Cooper (CLE, WR)
Cooper is a five-time Pro Bowler and would be a great fit in the Vikings’ normally pass-happy offense. He is 32 years old and has recorded 9,964 receiving yards and 62 touchdowns in his career. He had 1,250 receiving yards in 2023, so it’s not like Minnesota would get a dud beyond his best. The guy is still the real deal.
If the Browns continue to struggle, Cooper could be traded within the next 3.5 weeks. And adding him to the Vikings’ roster could make the offense unimaginably dangerous.
Theoretical trading price: 5. All-rounder 2025
3. Javonte Williams (DEN, RB)
If Minnesota wants to seriously compete for the Super Bowl, they need to have a healthy Aaron Jones on the ball at all times. Well, Jones was injured last weekend in London, necessitating a possible contingency plan for the running back.
Denver employs Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson, Tyler Badie and Audric Estime for the position. Perhaps Williams could be available via trade if the Broncos love their other four runners.
Theoretical trading price: 5. All-rounder 2025
2. Travis Etienne (JAX, RB)
Tank Bigbsy has proven to be a productive running back in Jacksonville, and according to some Jaguars-themed media, Etienne could be expendable. There is a world where Bigsby could be presented as an RB1 while Etienne was traded for draft capital.
The Vikings could pounce on Etienne and make him a 1B to Aaron Jones’ 1A and plan for Jones’ afterlife, which could come as early as 2025. Etienne is 25 and has averaged five yards per reception since entering the NFL in 2021.
Theoretical trading price: 2026 fourth graders
1. Dexter Lawrence (NYG, DT)
The Giants suddenly have two wins after the world decided they were terribly bad after Week 1. Maybe they’re not having a sale after all.
However, for a few weeks now, Vikings fans have been thinking about adding Dexter Lawrence to the roster via trade, even if the price was high. Some will hope that New York loses its next two games and concludes it is a seller before the November 5th trade deadline.
Lawrence would be worth next year’s 1st-rounder. He is so fantastic.
Theoretical trading price: 2025 1st round + 2026 fourth graders
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube channel. VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis and opinion on all things purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Guilty pleasures performed: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, “The Sopranos,” Basset Hounds and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA just as closely as he follows the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; All contract information from OverTheCap.com.
