The Viking Age
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Revisiting the Vikings’ 2016 draft day trade with the Dolphins

By Josh Zinger

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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A year after the Minnesota Vikings pulled the trigger on a surprising draft day trade with the Miami Dolphins, it’s time to revisit the move.

In the 2016 draft, the Miami Dolphins traded up with the Minnesota Vikings to draft wide receiver Leonte Carroo in the third round, giving the Vikings a 2017 third-rounder, a 2017 fourth-rounder, and a 2016 sixth-rounder in exchange.

Now, a little over a year after giving up three draft picks to acquire Carroo, the Dolphins are reportedly considering cutting the second-year pro. While that news realistically has little to no impact on the Vikings, it certainly makes it interesting to revisit the trade and see where each side stands a year later.

Sep 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Leonte Carroo (88) catches a pass before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Miami 22-7. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Leonte Carroo (88) catches a pass before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Miami 22-7. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

At the time, the move to trade out of the third round in exchange for future picks was met with a lukewarm response. Many praised the trade for it’s value and forward-thinking nature, but others were disappointed that it essentially meant deferring the team’s pick a year.

Now, it’s clear that the Vikings made the right move. While the Vikings could have picked up a useful contributor like Javon Hargrave or Graham Glasgow with the pick, the sheer value that they ended up with is undeniable.

To break it down, it’s necessary to consider what picks the Vikings initially received, what those picks turned into through further trades, and what players the team ultimately drafted with those picks.

Original Trade

Dolphins receive:

  • 86th pick (2016)

Vikings receive:

  • 186th pick (2016)
  • 86th pick (2017)
  • 128th pick (2017)

Total value after further trades

Dolphins receive:

  • 86th pick (2016)

Vikings receive:

  • 196th pick (2016)
  • 227th pick (2016)
  • 109th pick (2017)
  • 128th pick (2017)
  • 170th pick (2017)
  • 180th pick (2017)
  • 219th pick (2017)
  • 230th pick (2017)
  • 245th pick (2017)

The initial value of the trade was favorable for the Vikings, but it’s what general manager Rick Spielman was able to do through trading back that really stands out. By trading back several times with the picks acquired from the Dolphins, the Vikings were able to turn the three initial picks into ten total selections over the course of two years.

Essentially, the Vikings traded a third-round pick for two fourth-round picks, two fifth-round picks, a sixth-round pick, and four seventh-round picks. Spielman was able to work his usual magic, moving around the board to maximize value and add picks. Ultimately, the team was able to bring numerous talented athletes into the organization as a result.

Players drafted with picks

2016: 

  • DE Stephen Weatherly

2017:

  • DT Jaleel Johnson
  • WR Rodney Adams
  • OL Danny Isidora
  • WR Stacy Coley
  • DB Jack Tocho

Players acquired using picks (in trades):

2016:

  • TE David Morgan

2017:

  • RB Dalvin Cook
  • DE Ifeadi Odenigbo 

All in all, the Vikings were able to net six players using the picks acquired through the Dolphins trade and subsequent trades back. Most of the players project as solid depth, but Jaleel Johnson and Rodney Adams figure to be immediate contributors. Down the line, there’s no saying how many others will emerge.

More from The Viking Age

Just as valuably, the picks provided Spielman with the ammunition to manipulate the draft board at will. Most notably, the Vikings were able to trade up and draft falling running back Dalvin Cook using the fourth-round pick from the Dolphins. With the flexibility provided by the Dolphins’ picks, Spielman was able to trade up to draft arguably the biggest steal of the draft in Cook, as well as a couple of others.

Over the course of two years, the Vikings yielded an astounding, nine players using the picks acquired from the Dolphins. While the Dolphins got one fringe player who they are considering releasing, Minnesota got a number of talented players who are likely to compete for playing time now and in the future.

Next: Don't count out Jerick McKinnon

The Vikings were the clear winners of this exchange, which proved to be a move that shaped the team’s 2017 draft class, and in some ways will shape the future of the team.

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