Aug 23, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers middle Matt Hennessy (61) throughout the first quarter towards the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Pictures
The Minnesota Vikings most likely shouldn’t commerce too lots of their draft picks from the following class — the 2027 rookies are alleged to be incredible — however there’s all the time room to think about a deal or two. These are the swaps we’d suggest this summer time.
Minnesota has a number of roster spots value monitoring, particularly at EDGE, middle, security, and operating again.
It’s additionally encouraging that Minnesota doesn’t have many whopping roster deficiencies. Nonetheless, we’d contemplate the next choices.
A Few Smart Commerce Concepts Stay earlier than Vikings Camp in July
Listed in no explicit order, right here’s the summer time 2026 commerce docket from VikingsTerritory.
Washington defensive lineman Bralen Trice (DL49) participates in drills throughout the NFL Mix on Feb. 29, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Trice entered the pre-draft course of as one of many extra intriguing EDGE defenders in his class after a productive collegiate profession showcasing physicality, pass-rushing energy, and disruptive backfield presence at Washington. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities
1. Seventh-Spherical Decide to ATL for Bralen Trice (OLB)
The Atlanta Falcons chosen Trice in Spherical 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Thus far, his profession has been ravaged by accidents, a lot in order that he hasn’t performed in an everyday season sport. He’s pitched a shutout — and never in a great way.
Naturally, the Falcons’ brass has proceeded within the final two offseasons as if Brice won’t ever play. They’ve constructed EDGE depth as if he doesn’t exist, maybe making him expendable.
The Vikings, in the meantime, don’t want a beginning exterior linebacker. They’ve Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner prepared for responsibility. However buying and selling a late-round choose for Trice — or signing him late August if he will get lower — may test some containers.
Due to accidents, there’s no method to know if Trice is sitting on untapped potential. It’s value a Seventh-Rounder to search out out.
2. Theo Jackson (S) to WAS for a Sixth-Spherical Decide
Minnesota employs these safeties as of Might twenty third:
Josh Metellus
Jay Ward
Theo Jackson
Jakobe Thomas
Tavierre Thomas
Kahlef Hailassie
This group will include seven males if Harrison Smith returns for yet one more experience. And in 2025, the Vikings benched Jackson down the stretch in favor of Ward.
Ward may very well be a beginning security when Week 1 rolls round.
Subsequently, Minnesota ought to commerce Jackson to Washington if it is aware of he could also be a launch candidate in August. Why the Commanders? Washington employed Daronte Jones as its new defensive coordinator, and he labored because the Vikings’ defensive passing sport coordinator. Jones is aware of Jackson. The Commanders might use just a little little bit of security depth, particularly somebody Jones is aware of — like Jackson.
3. Sixth-Spherical Decide to DAL for Matt Hennessy (C)
Hennessy was a Third-Spherical choose in 2020, and he has this Professional Soccer Focus resume:
2025: 71.8 PFF Grade | 175 Snaps2024: 61.7 PFF Grade | 16 Snaps2022: 75.4 PFF Grade | 157 Snaps2021: 76.5 PFF Grade | 988 Snaps2020: 47.0 PFF Grade | 225 Snaps
He’s 28 and has not been given a good shake at middle in 5 years — when he performed splendidly. Hennessy additionally gained’t begin this yr in Dallas as a result of the Cowboys have Cooper Beebe lined up for the job.
San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Matt Hennessy (61) watches the motion throughout the first quarter towards the Denver Broncos on Aug. 9, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Hennessy supplied veteran offensive line depth for San Francisco whereas competing for positioning and rotational alternatives throughout the preseason matchup towards Denver. Necessary Credit score: David Gonzales-Imagn Pictures
For a workforce that wants a middle, Hennessy is value a Sixth- or Seventh-Rounder. He could also be extra environment friendly than Blake Brandel.
4. Fifth-Spherical Decide to ARI for Trey Benson (RB)
Do the Vikings have a full operating again room? Sure. Ought to they take a flyer on Benson? Additionally sure.
Benson’s profession has not taken off, as accidents have prevented his ascent. Now, he’s buried in Arizona, part of this RB depth chart:
Jeremiyah Love
Tyler Allgeier
James Conner
Trey Benson
Bam Knight
Corey Kiner
It’s the Love-Allgeier-Conner present within the desert.
SI.com‘s Donnie Druin on Benson’s commerce availability: “Benson is probably the most obvious trade candidate on the Cardinals after what transpired the last few months. Dealing with injuries and just simple inconsistent play, the Florida State product saw James Conner’s contract restructured and Tyler Allgeier signed in free agency before Arizona spent the third overall pick on Jeremiyah Love.”
“Now, Benson is RB4 on the depth chart and could be fighting for a roster spot with fellow running back Bam Knight, who has more special teams prowess than Benson. Of course injuries could change this dynamic, though the former Day 2 pick could be available for pennies on the dollar if the Cardinals were interested in getting something from Benson rather than cutting him.”
Arizona Cardinals operating again Trey Benson (33) carries the soccer towards the Seattle Seahawks on Sep. 25, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Benson continued creating right into a featured offensive contributor for Arizona whereas showcasing his pace and bodily speeding model throughout an NFC West matchup towards Seattle. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures
Like Trice on the prime of the record, there’s additionally an opportunity that Benson will get launched in a number of months. The Vikings — and plenty of groups — ought to give Benson a glance.
He’s 23. As soon as upon a time, he was forecasted as a reliable RB1 prospect, particularly within the dynasty fantasy soccer group.
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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
