4 other trades the Vikings could have made before the 2022 deadline
By Randy Smith
The Minnesota Vikings pulled off a blockbuster trade when they acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson from the Lions, but they could have gone another way.
This year’s trade deadline didn’t disappoint when the Minnesota Vikings acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson from division-rival Detroit Lions. The trade consisted of Minnesota sending a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick to Detroit. But in return, the Vikings received a fourth-round pick in 2023 and a conditional pick in 2024, and Hockenson.
The Vikings got what they not only wanted, but they feel the move will take their team to the next level as they try to buy into the 2022 season. At 6-1, acquiring a young tight end with already more than 2000 receiving yards and also having 15 receiving touchdowns helps strengthen the team, which is looking to make a deep playoff run.
As much needed of a move that was for the Vikings, who are to be without Irv Smith Jr., the team could have always elected to look towards another position for less draft compensation or even lower picks.
It seems Kwesi-Adofo Mensah is ready to go all-in this season and give Kevin O’Connell the tools he needs to coach a successful football team that can be a real threat come the postseason. Obtaining Hockenson is closer to that side.
However, if Adofo Mensah and the company were to have gone another route, they could have pursued some other names, who are the four players the Vikings could have traded for instead.