Even with the Chiefs and 49ers only a few days from taking the field in Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII, 30 other NFL teams still have plenty on their plate as the offseason gets ready to kick off. Whether it's the combines, pro days, or the actual NFL Draft in late April, just because the football stops, doesn't mean football stops. Monday morning kicks off peak Draft SZN, which means all your favorite websites and Twitter accounts will be inundated with mock drafts, trades, and projections.
Recently, the fine folks over at Bleacher Report got a jump start on their draft trade ideas, putting together a list called "5 Trades That Would Turn 2024 NFL Draft Upside Dow." A lot of what the mention is stuff you've probably seen around NFL Twitter already – Justin Fields trades, the Commanders moving up to take DC area-native Caleb Williams first overall, etc. But one scenario they mock up involves the Vikings, and it's a doozy. Here's the proposed trade:
Cincinnati Receives: No. 11 overall
Minnesota Receives: No. 18 overall, 2024 third-round pick (No. 82 overall), 2024 fifth-round pick (147 overall), 2025 fourth-round pick
And here's their rationale:
If both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd walk in free agency, look for Cincinnati to potentially make a move up for a talent like Rome Odunze. Arguably the No. 2 wideout in the class, we wouldn't be entirely shocked if Odunze was gone when the No. 11 overall pick arrives in April. But we do expect Malik Nabers to be the second pass-catcher off the board behind Marvin Harrison Jr.
Even though BR doesn't spend much time talking about why the Vikings would make that trade, it's an interesting idea. Minnesota doesn't exactly need a #1 wide receiver, but it seems like Vikings fans of all people don't need to be explained how good life can be with the potential of two All-Pro guys playing on the field at the same time.
Given how fluid the Vikings' situation at defensive end is this offseason, it'd be hard to blame them for staying put and taking DE1 or EDGE1, who will more-than-likely still be on the board when the Vikings are drafting #11 overall. There are also plenty of rumors out there that they want to trade up. Then again, there's a good chance one of those two guys will still be there seven picks later, and adding another Top-100 pick in this year's draft would be huge for a team that only has two right now (but eight picks overall). Crazier trades have happened, but with the NFC North no longer looking like the cakewalk that it's been over the last half-decade or so, taking the best player available at 11 wouldn't be the worst idea.