4 Vikings players that could be traded during the 2021 offseason

Harrison Smith – S

An extension is something that seems more likely for Harrison Smith this offseason, but don’t ever underestimate Vikings general manager Rick Spielman when it comes to making a big trade.

As was the case with Stefon Diggs last year, Minnesota could certainly part ways with Smith during the next few months if the right offer is presented.

At 31-years-old, Smith had another impressive season in 2020. In 16 games, he finished with 89 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and he tied a career-high with five interceptions.

There don’t appear to be any signs of Smith’s juice starting to run out, so one would assume he still has at least a few more good seasons left in him.

Due to his value to their defense, the Vikings might need a return package to include at least one first-round draft pick in order to trade the safety this offseason. It’s possible that Minnesota could pull the trigger if a second-round selection is offered, but acquiring a pick in the first round is something that would certainly make trading Smith easier to swallow.

Trading their top safety this year would free up $10.25 million in cap space for the Vikings, which might make turning down a deal more difficult given how much money they are expected to need to free up in order to not be over the cap to begin the free agency period in March.

Once again, however, Minnesota attempting to extend Smith this year and give him a contract that should allow him to possibly finish his career in purple is still something that seems more likely than the team trading him.