The Vikings will be buyers at the trade deadline, but how hard should they strike?

EAGAN, Minn. – One of the underrated aspects of the Minnesota Vikings' start to the season is the chemistry in the locker room.

“Somehow, with different egos and different backgrounds, we have enough players who are selfless enough to live up to their responsibilities,” defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said last week.

The Vikings brothers donated plenty of ingredients to assemble the 2024 team and emerged with a stew that has proven to be surprisingly flavorful. The question now is, with two weeks left until the NFL trade deadline: What else could be added?

Something will be. That much seems clear.

Minnesota does not have enough draft capital, especially in this upcoming cycle. Currently, the Vikings only have one first-rounder and two fifth-rounders. They will also likely receive a backup third-round pick following the departure of Kirk Cousins. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah values ​​future picks but has also been willing to part with them if the right player and deal arises.

How aggressive should the Vikings be if they take action? Here are some thoughts on possible options, segmented by position and swing level:

GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah joined @PAOnTheMic this morning to talk about the upcoming trade deadline, the team's 5-1 start and the short week leading up to the Rams game.

📺: https://t.co/i1iUhOFF8t pic.twitter.com/1mPW487qg3

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 22, 2024

Internal defensive line

It's fascinating to think about where the Vikings' defense would be if the team had added Christian Wilkins in free agency. Minnesota had targeted him, but Wilkins signed with the Raiders, allowing the Vikings to distribute money to players like Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman and others. Wilkins had been successful before suffering a broken foot in Week 5.

Without him, the Vikings had no problem stopping the run or rushing the passer. They rank in the top 10 in average yards per carry and opponent pressure rate generated. Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery are three of the more unsung contributors to this defense's success.

So why would the Vikings target another interior defender? The answer is twofold. First, you can never have enough depth, especially at a position where players like Phillips and Bullard have played a ton of snaps. Second, adding an interior defender who is more of a pass-rushing force would cover when opposing teams — like the Lions last weekend — tried to trap the Vikings on pass-specific downs in heavier personnel packages.

Typically, defensive coordinator Brian Flores swaps personnel around depending on the situation, almost like a baseball manager using left- or right-handed pinch hitters for different relievers. This is more difficult when the opposing offense uses the tempo and doesn't substitute.

Interestingly, Tillery has more pressure than the Raiders' Simmons, Tomlinson and Adam Butler this season. According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons' win percentage has also dropped. This is one reason the Titans might be willing to part ways with a star player. This would likely come at a high cost, while a player like Tomlinson could be available for a late-round draft pick.

Perhaps the most enticing name here is Campbell, the ageless wonder who, at 38, has more pressure than even Dexter Lawrence II. Would adding the former All-Pro to a defense already loaded with them (Harrison Smith and Stephon Gilmore) , this would create a different level of fear on offense. Since he's only on a one-year deal, the Vikings may not have to part with a premium pick either.

Go deeper

Despite some questions, the Vikings got off to a good start

Cornerback

The Vikings have committed a lot of resources to cornerback in recent years. They drafted two cornerbacks in Adofo-Mensah's first draft, another in 2023 and another last year. In free agency, Minnesota also spent on Byron Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin and Gilmore.

All three played admirably in 2024, limiting opposing offenses for the most part. But even though the Vikings' experience and intelligence allowed them to combine more complex coverages better than last year, Flores wasn't willing to leave them on islands in man coverage.

The Vikings played man coverage on 19.5 percent of their defensive snaps last season. This year, that number is down, in part because Minnesota has focused on other types of zones. In Miami, Flores played nearly 30 percent more man coverage snaps than he does now, which makes sense considering the Dolphins had several elite corners in Xavien Howard, Byron Jones and Jevon Holland.

Trading for a cornerback like Jones or Lattimore would likely allow Flores to play more man, further limiting the space between receivers. A player like Newsome, who Adofo-Mensah and many in this Vikings front office know well from their Cleveland connections, would add depth to a position group that is crucial to Flores.

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Guard

If you've been reading this space in the last few weeks, you know how leaky the interior of Minnesota's offensive line has been. The pass protection unit allows the eighth-highest pressure rate in the NFL. This number does not improve when the exposures are contextualized for a specific period of time.

Only four qualified guards have given up more pressure than Ed Ingram this season, and no center has allowed more pressure than Garrett Bradbury. It's possible that Dalton Risner, who returns to full practice this week for the first time since suffering a back injury in training camp, could replace Ingram at right guard. The Vikings staff will be watching closely to see how his presence impacts the pass protection unit.

Risner's influence could reduce the need for an addition at this point. But if he struggles or suffers an injury at right guard, the Vikings could explore that market. The most intriguing of these options could be Christensen, who is eligible to become a free agent after this season. He is versatile and has played tackle, guard and center. He has also proven to be effective in both pass protection and as a run blocker in recent seasons.

Davis is likely a long way off considering Bears general manager Ryan Poles would require a move within the division, which hasn't happened yet. Newman, meanwhile, is another depth option that's probably more in line with what the Vikings got from Ingram and could get from Risner.

(Photo by Ed Ingram: David Berding/Getty Images)