Heading into the season, no one really expected the Minnesota Vikings to be among the NFL’s biggest trade deadline buyers.
Starting the season with just three selections in the 2025 NFL Draft didn’t help. But mostly, no one expected a group that had the preseason over/under on their win total set at just 6.5 wins to be one of the best teams in the league.
But here they are, with a shiny 5-0 record heading into a pivotal matchup against the 4-1 Lions on Sunday. The winner will be the NFC North’s division leader heading into Week 8. If the Vikings win, they could become aggressive, seeking roster upgrades ahead of the Nov. 5 NFL trade deadline. Recently, a local Vikings insider addressed that very possibility.
Could the Minnesota Vikings go all in at the trade deadline?
As noted, SKOR North’s Darren Wolfson recently addressed some popular Minnesota Vikings trade rumors floating around the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Here was “Doogie’s” response when asked whether the Vikings could take a Rams-like ‘F them picks’ approach and go all-in ahead of the Nov. 5 trade deadline:
Jaycee Horn slowly becoming a top 3 CB pic.twitter.com/23PJGjZfan
— 𝐪𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 🐾 (@qanthers) October 11, 2024
“The answer is not zero percent. The possibility does exist. I think it ramps up even more if they win on Sunday (against Detroit), create that much more separation in what looks like the best division in football. Do I think that’s at least been rattled about in Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s mind? Yes. Now, who is that player? Is it Jaycee Horn of the Panthers? There’s a cornerback in Cleveland (Greg Newsome) that I believe is enticing. What about Jeffery Simmons? I haven’t looked at the contractual situations of all these guys.
Going back pre-draft, even though it’s a new regime, there are a number of holdovers from when Simmons was draft-eligible, there were a lot of healthy opinions of him pre-draft. And I’m not quite sure he’s done anything to make you change off that stance. Really good player, and I don’t know that the Titans would move him.”
Darren Wolfson on Vikings’ trade deadline
Wolfson’s understandably a busy guy, so we took some time to do a bit of extra research on these players’ respective contracts.
Evaluating Jaycee Horn’s trade fit for the Vikings
The first player he mentioned is young Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (son of former Saints NFL WR Joe Horn). Interestingly enough, the 24-year-old is only under contract through 2025. Since he’s under contract for another year, he could be one of the more attractive options to upgrade the secondary, both now and for years to come.
Horn enters Week 7 graded 36th among 102 qualifying cornerbacks per Pro Football Focus. The Vikings’ starting cornerbacks rank 33rd (Gilmore), 65th (Murphy), and 71st (Griffin). Yet, it should be noted that none of the trio are under contract after this season. Adding Horn would provide more long-term security.
Today the #Browns officially picked up CB Greg Newsome’s 5th year option (13.377M in 2025)
In 41 games he's only allowed over 50yds in a game 9 times and surrendered 6 TDs
The nuisance in coverage is locked in for another season #Dawgpound
pic.twitter.com/jYV4beHkNd— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) April 30, 2024
Evaluating Greg Newsome’s trade fit for the Vikings
The second player Wolfson named was Cleveland cornerback Greg Newsome II. The 24-year-old former first-round pick is in a similar contract situation as Horn, in that he’s under contract for this season and the next. Since the Browns are 1-5, a trade could be possible as they look to avoid a similar start next year.
However, Newsome is nowhere near as proven as Horn. He currently ranks 96th among 102 qualifying cornerbacks. His best season saw him rank 31st, but that came as a rookie. Newsome graded as the 34th-best NFL CB in his second season before slipping to 55th in 2022.
Nice two man work inside from the Titans in the low red zone
T’Vondre Sweat (93) spikes inside, and Jeffery Simmons (98) scrapes tight over the top of him, plays through a hold, & makes the stop
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) October 17, 2024
So, there’s no doubt that Simmons would be a significant upgrade. Plus, the 2025 free agency class for interior defenders isn’t pretty after Alim McNeill and Kenny Clark signed extensions. If the Vikings continue to be on pace to pick late in the first round, parting with a selection in the 20s or even 30s for a proven star wouldn’t be a bad plan at all. But that’s only if Tennessee’s willing to listen.
