Vikings trade for Jets All-Pro is a perfect Dexter Lawrence backup plan

Heading into this season's trade deadline, making a deal to acquire New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence has been a hot topic of discussion among Minnesota Vikings fans.

But what if the Vikings and Giants aren't able to agree to a trade involving Lawrence? Well, Minnesota's backup plan could actually be on the roster of the other NFL team that plays its home games inside MetLife Stadium.

If the Vikings fail to acquire Lawrence before this season's trade deadline, New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams would be a perfect second option for Minnesota to target.

If not Dexter Lawrence, Minnesota Vikings should attempt to trade for NY Jets DL Quinnen Williams

On Sunday, the Jets saw their record fall to 2-5 this season after suffering a disappointing 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. New York had high expectations heading into the 2024 campaign, but those goals are getting more and more unattainable as each week passes by.

With the Jets struggling, perhaps the Vikings could convince them to work out a trade that would end up with Williams in Minnesota.

During the last few months, New York has given up future draft picks in order to acquire players like Davante Adams and Haason Reddick. But instead of looking to give up more draft selections before this season's trade deadline, the Jets' current struggles might lead them to be open to moving on from some of their veteran players in exchange for future draft picks.

New York could potentially be heading into a major overhaul during the upcoming offseason, and unloading players with expensive contracts like Williams is typically what teams have done in the past when in a similar situation.

Williams has been in the NFL since 2019, when the Jets used the No. 3 overall pick in that year's draft on him. During his tenure in New York, he's racked up 35 sacks, two Pro Bowl selections, and one First-Team All-Pro nod.

So far this season, Williams has accumulated 15 tackles (one for a loss), two sacks, and 19 pressures, which, according to data from PFF, is more than what any current defensive lineman on Minnesota's roster has been able to generate this year.

The veteran Jets defender has proven throughout his career that he can generate a ton of pressure without the help of his teammates frequently blitzing. In their loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 7, the Vikings could've used someone like Williams instead of feeling the need to blitz on more than half of the dropbacks by Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

Last summer, the All-Pro defensive lineman signed a four-year extension with the New York worth $96 million, and while this is a high-priced contract, it's one that Minnesota can afford while they take advantage of having a starting quarterback on a cheap contract for the next few seasons.

The Vikings would really just have to figure out what they are willing to give up in order to acquire Williams from the Jets. With limited assets in the 2025 draft, should Minnesota be willing to send its 2025 first-round selection to New York if that's what it would take to complete a trade for the talented defender?

The Vikings weren't expected to be a contender in the NFC this season, but at 5-1 after six games, that's exactly what they are. So, instead of putting most of its focus on building for the future, Minnesota needs to take advantage of its great start to the 2024 campaign by doing everything it can to remain in contention for the franchise's first-ever Super Bowl win.

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