3 Practical Trade Ideas in the Vikings’ Orbit

The Minnesota Vikings have obtained two players via trade this offseason: running back Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks during the 2025 NFL Draft.

3 Practical Trade Ideas in the Vikings’ Orbit

The league’s trade deadline doesn’t arrive until early November, so general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has time for plenty more moves if he’s in the mood.

Jul 27, 2022; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

And these three trade ideas could move the needle.

The Trade Target:
Jalen Ramsey (CB)

The Approximate Price:
2026 3rd-Round Pick

Why Ramsey to Minnesota?

Foremost, Ramsey is absolutely on the trade block; it’s not a hot take. Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier confirmed the situation a few days before the draft.

Nov 9, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams player Jalen Ramsey attends the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports.

For now, Minnesota showcases a handful of promising cornerbacks in Byron Murphy Jr. — a Pro Bowler — Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, and Dwight McGlothern. If Adofo-Mensah does nothing via trade or free agency in the next four months, that group might just do the trick.

But trading for Ramsey would focus on making the depth chart unstoppable. He’s 30, so his barter price won’t be through the roof. And if Minnesota wants to embark on this newly minted Super Bowl contendership era in style, why not get filthy rich at cornerback?

What the World Is Saying about a Ramsey Trade

Ramsey could be on the move via Los Angeles Rams reunion.

ESPN’s Sarah Barshop wrote after the draft: “The Los Angeles Rams approached the 2025 NFL draft with a roster already built for another playoff run. So, they traded out of the first round and added depth at several positions. But if there was a position of need for the Rams, it was cornerback — a position Los Angeles did not address over the weekend. The Rams re-signed cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon in the offseason but did not add an outside free agent.”

“With the draft over, there might be a move that brings a familiar face back to Los Angeles: cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The Rams traded for Ramsey in 2019 and he was a key part of the 2021 team that won Super Bowl LVI. Los Angeles then traded him to the Miami Dolphins in March 2023 as they tried to clear salary cap space from what was a top-heavy roster.”

The Trade Target:
Greg Newsome II (CB)

The Approximate Price:
a 4th- or 5th-Round Pick

Why Newsome II to Minnesota?

The argument for Newsome II is similar to Ramsey; it’s just that Newsome II isn’t as productive as Ramsey and doesn’t feature Ramsey’s seven Pro Bowls.

But Newsome II is dependable and could theoretically offer an upgrade over Isaiah Rodgers, who seems in line as Minnesota’s CB2 in 2025.

Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) reacts on a third down stop during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Browns defeated the Jaguars 18-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

The Browns drafted Newsome II while Adofo-Mensah worked in Cleveland’s front office, so if there’s any general manager in the NFL equipped to seize him in a deal, it would be Minnesota’s.

What the World Is Saying about a Newsome II Trade

San Francisco 49ers-themed media tends to believe Newsome II could be available to Kyle Shanahan’s squad.

NinersNation.com‘s Kyle Posey wrote before the draft: “The 49ers met with Newsome ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, so the interest was there. The fit couldn’t be better on the field. Newsome allowed completion percentages of 43 and 52 percent in 2022 and 2023. That number climbed to 56 percent this past season. Newsome has always been an aggressive tackler, which fits the mold of what Robert Saleh wants in a cornerback. He also has experience blitzing, which adds value and versatility.”

“The 49ers have ammunition to pull off a trade for Newsome. Depending on how much money they’re willing to eat, we could be talking about multiple Day 3 picks. This is not a deal that will require the 49ers to part ways with a top-100 pick, given Newsome’s need for a new deal.”

The Trade Target:
Michael Mayer (TE)

The Approximate Price:
a 5th-Round Pick

Why Mayer to Minnesota?

Minnesota employs T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew, Ben Yurosek, and Bryson Nesbit at tight end. Notably, Oliver’s contract expires after the 2025 campaign.

Sep 24, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) celebrates after converting on a 2-point play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders used a 2nd-Round pick on Mayer during the 2023 NFL Draft. One year later, they spent a 1st-Rounder on Brock Bowers, who morphed into a total game-changer last season.

The Raiders are wasting Mayer on the bench, and in theory, he could fit nicely in Minnesota’s tight end room.

What the World Is Saying about a Mayer Trade

The Draft Network‘s Justin Melo opined prior to the draft: “The Las Vegas Raiders are willing to trade tight end Michael Mayer, according to multiple reports. It was a previous regime that drafted Mayer with the No. 35 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. The following year, new decision-makers drafted Brock Bowers with a premium first-round pick. Spending consecutive top-35 selections on a non-premium position like tight end isn’t an ideal roster-building method.”

“Bowers immediately arrived and lessened Mayer’s impact by enjoying a record-breaking season. Mayer will never be Las Vegas’ No. 1 tight end. New general manager John Spytek would probably accept draft capital in exchange for Mayer. Mayer deserves a change of scenery. We’ve identified three potential landing spots via trade.”

The Vikings have a mostly full draft cabinet in 2026 and beyond to conduct trades with picks — unlike this year.