4 Positions the Vikings Could Look to Upgrade Before Trade Deadline

The NFL trade deadline looms on November 10, and the Minnesota Vikings are in a position to make moves that could help them pursue a championship run. There are four main positions that they might want to look at improving.

4 Positions the Vikings Could Look to Upgrade Before the Trade Deadline

The trade market heated up on Tuesday as the Indianapolis Colts confirmed their status as sellers, trading Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. That’s two NFC rivals strengthening their rosters in search of a championship while we wait on new Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley to make a move. These are the four positions I think the Vikings should look to strengthen.

Running Back

Jonathan Taylor is the name that is the main focus among Vikings chatter, and with the Colts showing they are in a selling mood that is only heating up. There’s no doubt that a dynamic player like Taylor can add explosiveness to the Vikings and he could be just what’s needed to unlock this offense. The question: what price is Minnesota willing to pay? The Colts have leaked to the media that they don’t want to trade Taylor, which either means they genuinely don’t, or they want more than what’s been offered so far.

If the Vikings wanted to make this happen it will take a good offer and mean taking on an expensive contract for a RB who will be 30 in January. You have to believe you can win the Super Bowl this year to make this trade. Unless Aaron Jones knee injury is (or becomes) serious I wouldn’t be interested in exploring any other potential RB options who wouldn’t be of the same caliber as Taylor. Saquon Barkley is the only other option but age and injury issues would put me off this move.

Guard/Center

Donovan Jackson’s injury has left the team short at guard with Joe Huber filling in so far. Huber has done okay but adding an elite player like Nelson would have been nice.

The Vikings could still look to add a guard or even a center and move Blake Brandel back out to guard. The biggest issue the Vikings have on the interior of the offensive line is Will Fries not playing to anywhere near his contract. I would have liked Nelson but it wasn’t to be and there aren’t a ton of obvious candidates. Minnesota may have to just stick with what they have.

Defensive Line

It’s unlikely to be a big move but adding some experience to the defensive line could be an option.

There’s a lot of inexperience behind the starters and the addition of veteran Kyle Van Noy on the edge has had an obvious boost to the team. Trying for something similar in the middle could make sense and put less pressure on rookies Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange to develop quickly.

There are a number of options that could be feasible including Grover Stewart becoming the latest in the Colts ‘ fire sale. Other names linked with a trade at the position include Daron Payne, Ed Oliver, Zach Sieler, Vita Vea, and former Viking Dalvin Tomlinson. Adding a situational pass rusher would bring the Vikings the best value.

Safety

The fact that 37-year-old Harrison Smith, who has already publicly announced that this will be his last season, is still the Vikings’ best safety is a cause for concern. There is hope that the young safeties on the team can develop but if Minnesota is embarking on a Super Bowl run the team needs help now.

If the Vikings need their safeties to come downhill and make a tackle they are in good hands. However, the coverage from the position is possibly the weakest area on the team’s otherwise dominant defense. Adding a great coverage safety would be the proverbial cherry on top of the cake for Brian Flores’ defense. Testing the waters for someone like Jessie Bates from Atlanta would be my preference; otherwise, Andre Cisco from the Jets would be a nice addition.