Why the Vikings might trade down in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft
By Nik Edlund
Get offered a deal they can’t refuse
Teams always work the clock looking for trades, or they at least say they do on draft day. It’s part of what makes watching the annual event so exciting.
Even if a team loves a player who is on the board when they pick, they will wait and see if another team makes an offer that can help set up their franchise for years to come. Perhaps that will happen for the Vikings when they are on the clock at pick No. 25 this year.
Usually, when teams get offered big juicy deals it’s because a potential game-changing prospect falls down the board like a quarterback. A guy who has been getting some very positive buzz lately, and one who could be on the board at pick No. 25, is Utah State’s, Jordan Love.
Love had a nice week at this year’s Senior Bowl as he displayed good mobility in the pocket and plenty of arm strength. He does need some work on his ball placement, but plenty of teams around the NFL have to think he could be their quarterback of the future and this could greatly benefit Minnesota.
Let’s say a team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who hold the 14th pick in the first round, address a need other than quarterback with their selection. The Bucs might be enamored with Love, but they might think that taking him at pick No. 14 is still too early.
So when Tampa Bay sees the young quarterback still on the board at pick 25, they might give the Vikings a call. This is where slick Rick Spielman could work his magic.
Minnesota would probably be dropping down about 21 spots into the second round if they end up making a deal with the Bucs. Worst case, the Vikings would likely get Tampa Bay’s second, third, and perhaps a fifth-round pick, if not more, in exchange for their first-round selection.
Spielman might also sense some desperation from the Bucs and hold out for a 2021 first-rounder as well. If Tampa Bay were to offer a deal this tempting, Minnesota would have no problem moving down the board and acquiring all of the future assets.