The Minnesota Vikings have had an active offseason, but somehow it feels like there's something missing on the defensive side of the ball. Ideas on that front can extend multiple directions, realistically or otherwise, but the general sentiment lands on one position.
The Vikings ponied up to keep cornerback Byron Murphy in the fold after his excellent 2024 campaign. Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah and Tavierre Thomas were lower-end additions in free agency, and the return to health of Mekhi Blackmon will be greatly helpful. Rodgers is projected for a big role, as defensive coordinator Brian Flores clearly advocated for his signing and continued to laud him during minicamp.
Still, behind Murphy, there's a lot of projection and hope on the Vikings' cornerback depth chart. They could still make a bold trade with the Miami Dolphins for seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey, but that has never felt very likely.
However, there could be some other viable trade targets to fortify the cornerback room.
Seemingly perfect Minnesota Vikings' trade target has a tie to Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
On a list of five summertime NFL trade proposals, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports honed in on a possible trade match for the Vikings: Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II.
On the "why it makes sense" front, here's what Benjamin wrote.
"Minnesota spent big to address both trenches this offseason, but the one non-quarterback spot that lacks top-end answers is the secondary, now sans veteran starters like Stephon Gilmore and Camryn Bynum. Forward-thinking general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was in the Browns' front office when Cleveland spent a first-rounder on Newsome in 2021, and at just 25, the former Northwestern standout has the upside to become a longer-term option for Brian Flores' defense. Why would the Browns give up such a young chess piece? Despite his draft reputation, Newsome managed just three starts in Jim Schwartz's unit in 2024, and he's headed into a contract year."
On the flip side, Benjamin addressed potential holdups to a trade that would send Newsome to the Vikings.
"The Vikings paid top dollar to retain Byron Murphy Jr. at one cornerback spot, and they might just be comfortable rolling with bargain additions like Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah down the depth chart. And the Browns, while perpetually rebuilding, might want to stash Newsome as insurance; after all, how many other young building blocks do they have?"
Some level of trade rumors have surrounded Newsome, the 26th overall pick in the 2021 draft, going back two offseasons (and then some). He clearly needs a change of scenery, with the proverbial light finally at the end of that tunnel entering a contract year.
The Browns picked up Newsome's $13.37 million fifth-year option for this year. But they've had no apparent inclination to sign him to a contract extension, and his reduced role last season said it all about any possible change in that tune.
A report Newsome was especially available heading into April's draft did not lead anywhere in terms of a trade. However, it's clear he is not seen as any kind of "young building block" by the "perpetually rebuilding" Browns. So they'll surely move him between now and the trade deadline, or lose him for nothing (except a possible comp pick in 2027) next March.
From Newsome's side, as possible landing spots go, the chance to play in Flores' defensive scheme seems to make Minnesota an ideal spot for him to rehab his value this season.
But there is a potential fly in the ointment.
If Flores doesn't want to threaten the role of his hand-picked free agent signing (Rodgers), then he may not be good with the possibility of trading for Newsome. Or, he won't willingly put Newsome on the field (assuming there are no other issues) if he is acquired.
The Vikings shouldn't be fully content with their cornerback situation right now. An available former first-round pick who shouldn't be costly to acquire, and who Adofo-Mensah presumably has some inside knowledge about, feels like a perfect trade target. It may just be a matter of making a call, and making a viable offer.