5 players the Vikings could trade for before Week 1 of the 2023 season

Isaiah Simmons - LB (Arizona Cardinals)

Don't expect the Cardinals to compete in 2023, and better yet, assume they'll be picking twice in the top five in the 2024 NFL Draft (they own the Houston Texans' 2024 first-round pick).

The Cardinals have to start over. They don't have the personnel on either side of the ball to compete, so a potential mass exodus of the roster may be on the horizon.

The expectation is that there will be a number of veterans in Arizona that will be available for trade between now and this year's trade deadline. Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons is a name that has floated to the surface of trade rumors.

Simmons is another player who was a highly touted prospect who hasn't met expectations during his time in the league. Simmons is a jack of all trades. He can lineup at both inside and outside linebacker, he can rush the passer, and he can lineup at safety and nickel.

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves players who are versatile, and you can make the argument Simmons is one of the most versatile players in the entire league. There is no telling what Flores could do with Simmons, who could cover multiple needs for this defense.

Like Chase Young, Simmons had his fifth-year option declined earlier this offseason, and the Cardinals added former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Kyzir White to the mix, which could spell trouble for Simmons in terms of playing time.

Simmons is entering a contract year, and Arizona may want to get some form of a return on the linebacker instead of letting him walk in free agency.

Although he is a former top-10 pick, he probably won't command much in terms of trade compensation. A fifth or sixth-round pick could get the job done in terms of completing a trade between the two clubs.