3 players the Minnesota Vikings could trade during the 2023 NFL Draft

Za’Darius Smith

Smith was one of the most questionable signings for the Vikings last offseason but wound up being one of the best free-agent additions in the NFL. Smith injected life into the Vikings’ pass rush after ranking fourth among edge rushers with 78 quarterback pressures and collecting 10 sacks but he slowed down in the second half of the season as Minnesota was bounced in the first round of the playoffs.

After one year on a team-friendly contract, Smith wants to be paid as his numbers suggest but the Vikings don’t seem to be willing to give him the money. The standoff led to Smith putting his house on the market and even saying goodbye to the team in a post on his Twitter account but he remains on the roster heading into the draft.

The Minnesota Vikings would probably like to have Smith back based on his ability but his injury history and second-half slide make it risky to commit more money to an edge rusher heading into his age 31-season. The situation may have gotten more volatile after the Vikings signed 26-year-old Marcus Davenport to a one-year, $13 million contract despite his own injury history.

While trading Smith wouldn’t command a massive return, it could amount to a mid-round pick that could allow the Vikings to make trades or select a player to add depth. Smith’s tenure in Minnesota was definitely fun but it could be short-lived by the end of the draft.