Minnesota Vikings defensive players who could be traded

Audie Cole is entering his fifth year in purple and gold after signing a one-year contract this off-season. After being drafted in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL draft, Cole has defied the odds by sticking with the team, even after the regime change.

Throughout his career, Cole has started seven games and amassed 51 tackles and a sack. A player who is better on special teams than he is at linebacker, Cole was given a player grade of only 40.6 by Pro Football Focus last season.

At first glance, Cole seems like the type of player who are a dime a dozen. However, as we saw with Mike Mauti last year, the Vikings’ backup linebackers can start and play well on other teams. A player with Cole’s size and speed is hard to find, and a few years under Mike Zimmer makes him a potential gold mine to other teams.

Audie Cole is playing under a one-year, $680,000 contract, so cap hit isn’t an issue. Instead, it might simply come down to a numbers game. The Vikings’ three starting linebackers are basically set in stone with Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, and Chad Greenway. Behind the starters, the Vikings have a smorgasbord of players who are all competing for a backup role. Kentrell Brothers was drafted in the fifth round of the draft, Jake Ganus is an undrafted rookie who has been impressing this off-season, Emmanuel Lamur was brought in through free agency, while Edmond Robinson and Brandon Watts are both promising young players.

Next: Sharrif Floyd