The Minnesota Vikings are 5-0 and on a bye, which should make this weekend easy to kick back and know, as a fan, you are still going to be undefeated. If you believe this team can make a run, however, there are some concerns GM Nolan Teasley should consider before the trade deadline. I believe the game against the Indianapolis Colts and the game against the Lions will be influencers for Teasley on how aggressive the Vikings get. You don’t have to win both, but certainly winning one and how specifically the offense looks after these two games should matter heavily. Win in Week 7 and start 6-0, and perhaps Nolan Teasley is thinking we are pushing in the chips to make a run this season.
Vikings Trade Needs
Donovan Jackson’s meniscus tear ended his season, so undrafted second-year guy Joe Huber is now the left guard for the foreseeable future. He played very well in the Saints game. That’s fine until it isn’t. Aaron Jones has been playing through a knee that keeps acting up and wearing a brace. While Jordan Mason should be back after the bye, you don’t really want to find out how long Jones can hold up after 20+ carry games. Josh Oliver is out for the season with a torn biceps, which removes a blocker the run game actually used. Edge and safety aren’t emergencies yet, but both rooms are thin enough that one more body would help if the price is right.
To me the priority order for trades and filling holes is:
- Offensive Line Depth
- Running Back
- Edge Depth (3 & 4 could swap)
- Blocking TE
- Saftey (Luxury trade)
O-Line Trade Targets
Most of the realistic names are veterans on teams that could still turn into sellers at the trade deadline. Quenton Nelson is the one that makes the most sense on paper. He’s in the last year of his deal in Indianapolis, and the Colts are already 2-3. If the Titans somehow beat them this weekend, the conversation about moving him gets a lot louder. Landon Dickerson is messier. He’s been dealing with a knee, and the Eagles have already started rearranging their line. Another loss to the Panthers this week wouldn’t help his chances of staying put. Erik McCoy gives New Orleans some flexibility at center or guard, and the Saints are already 1-4 with their own line issues. A loss in New York keeps them looking around.
Other Potential Needs
Running back feels more like adding a body than necessarily finding a starter. Jordan Mason’s return should take some pressure off Aaron Jones, but how long does his knee hold out over the next 12 games? Tony Pollard is the straightforward one. He’s been a steady producer, he’s on an expiring deal, and the Titans are 0-5. Another loss keeps them open to moving him for a pick. Saquon Barkley is the longer shot. People around the league have already started wondering out loud whether Philadelphia would listen to trades if the season keeps going sideways. At 29, he probably has a couple more good years in him as well. Now that Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has been placed on the IR, big name trades are possible. So the Panthers game matters for them too. If you want any Eagles players, root for whomever they are playing the next couple of weeks.
Dallas Goedert for the Eagles is also the tight end that fits what they lost with Oliver. He would actually be a weapon as well in the passing game. He’s still useful as a blocker, and he’s in the last year of his contract. Philadelphia getting beat this weekend makes the call easier to make. On the edge, the Vikings already moved on from Jonathan Greenard, so they’re counting on Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel. Josh Sweat has been unhappy in Arizona, and the Cardinals are 1-4 heading into a game against the Rams. Another loss keeps his name floating. Khalil Mack is older and on a one-year deal with a Chargers team that is 0-5. He has no trade protection and is still getting after the quarterback. A loss in Kansas City almost certainly speeds up the talks.
Safety is the lowest priority, but Budda Baker is the kind of veteran who becomes available once the Cardinals decide the season is over. Same Rams game applies.
Teams To Root For In Week 6
This weekend is mostly about watching the right teams lose. Titans beating the Colts helps the Nelson case. Titans losing keeps Pollard available. Panthers over the Eagles opens doors on Barkley, Goedert, and Dickerson. Rams beating the Cardinals keeps Baker and Sweat in play. Chiefs beating the Chargers pushes Mack closer to the block. Giants over the Saints makes McCoy more plausible. None of these are must-do moves. They’re just the kind of additions that start looking smarter if the injuries keep coming.
So enjoy the NFL bye, but as Minnesota Vikings fans, there are still several games we should be keeping an eye on to make the team better. If Minnesota is going to make a run they should be “buyers” at the deadline. And I just gave you some teams to root for and some to root against for trades to work in Minnesota’s favor.
Steve is also the host of the Vikings Playbook Podcast and the Fantasy 15 Fantasy Football Podcast/Website at Fantasy15Football.com.
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