Dream Minnesota Vikings Trade Deadline Bounty

The NFL Trade Deadline is Tuesday. After much internal debate, here are my dream acquisitions for the Minnesota Vikings.

Dream

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Mo Alice-Cox, TE, Indianapolis Colts

Moro Ojomo, DT, Philadelphia Eagles

Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals

This is only a dream for, at least, a couple of reasons. The Vikings can’t afford to spend the draft picks that would be needed to acquire the above players. They also probably wouldn’t be able to manage the necessary magic to fit the contracts under the salary cap. Oh well, one can dream. 

More Realistic Options

#1

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

If the Vikings decided to take one big swing, I believe that they could work a trade for Jonathan Taylor. I don’t like the idea of giving up the first-round pick that the Colts are rumored to be seeking. Maybe the rumored demands will come down a bit on deadline day. I’ve wrestled with the Vikings need to upgrade at running back. When both are healthy, I like the backfield combo of Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason. Unfortunately, one or the other always seems to be ailing. Jones has a knee injury that could hinder his play the rest of the season. Even at their healthiest best, neither is quite the back that Taylor is. He’s also 27. Taylor could be a critical part of the Vikings offense for a few years beyond this one. I still question the cost. It’s one of those deals that I’d love if it happened and not hate if it didn’t. 

#2

Mo Alie-Cox, TE, Indianapolis Colts

Zach Sieler, DT, Miami Dolphins

I believe that the Vikings will make at least two trades. My realistic guess at those trades is the above. The loss of tight end Josh Oliver for the regular season with a torn bicep was huge. There isn’t a tight end in the league that is Oliver’s match as a blocker. Mo Alie-Cox is closer to that level than anyone currently on the Vikings roster. I believe that he’d be a solid addition. Adding any player to the Vikings defense in the middle of the season is a difficult task. There’s so much on-field communication, so much nuance. Zach Sieler has some prior experience with Brian Flores. Like Kyle Van Noy earlier this season, that prior experience will help Sieler quickly, maybe even seamlessly, fit into the Vikings defensive scheme and line rotation. I also like the veteran addition to the Vikings young defensive line. 

#3

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Zach Sieler, DT, Miami Dolphins 

Why not go with one big trade and one solid, perhaps responsible, trade?