3. Will the Vikings trade a star player?
There have been a lot of rumblings about the Vikings trading one of their better players this year, not only to get additional draft picks, but to also free up cap space. The names most frequently thrown out there have been cornerbacks Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes.
Neither makes a ton of sense to send away for a team like Minnesota that is still very much in contention in the NFC. Not many teams have a duo at cornerback like the Vikings do with Waynes and Rhodes, and to get rid of one when your team is still capable of making a run in the playoffs is mind-boggling.
Of the two, Waynes would make the most sense to deal. His contract is up after next year and Minnesota doesn’t look like they will be able to offer him a new deal. So essentially the thought is, a trade would get the Vikings the compensatory pick (likely a third-round choice) a year in advance and save cap space in the meantime.
This rumor heated up early in free agency to the point where the Indianapolis Colts were even named as a potential dance partner. Waynes obviously hasn’t been traded yet and after the announcement of Holton Hill‘s recent four-game suspension, it seems very unlikely it happens.
One name that could still be on the move may be wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. He seems to have fallen out of favor with Minnesota and a fresh start could be best for both parties. The Vikings wouldn’t get much for Treadwell and they might end up doing one of those deals where they offer him to swap picks with another team in the same round.
Overall, it seems slim that Minnesota will trade one of their players in the near future. But we will know for sure on the final day of this year’s draft after Mr. Irrelevant’s name is called.