After months of waiting, draft day is finally upon us. The 2018 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory and is likely to feature several draft-day trades. The Minnesota Vikings are not likely to pull off any blockbuster trades, but general manager Rick Spielman is no stranger to working the draft board. Here are three Vikings draft trades that could go down on Thursday night.
Vikings trade back with Browns
Minnesota Vikings receive: Pick No. 33, Pick No. 114
Cleveland Browns receive: Pick No. 30
The Vikings have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL, giving them flexibility to move up or down the draft board. For moving back only a few picks, the Vikings would receive Cleveland’s fourth-round pick. The Cleveland Browns have the draft capital to add another first-round pick if a talented player falls to the end of the first round.
Minnesota would still be able to pick a talented player with the 33rd overall pick and could add even more depth with their new fourth-round selection. Having the first pick in the second round would also provide the Vikings with some trade leverage. The first pick of the second round is highly coveted, so Minnesota could trade down again to accumulate more picks.
Vikings trade up to No. 19 to draft Isaiah Wynn
Minnesota Viking receive: Pick No. 19
Dallas Cowboys receive: Pick No. 30, Pick No. 94, Pick No. 204
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Vikings could trade up in the first round to draft one of this year’s best guards. In exchange for their first (No. 30 overall), third (124), and sixth-round (204) picks, the Vikings move up 11 spots for Georgia guard Isaiah Wynn.
The Cowboys are in the wide receiver market, but Calvin Ridley is likely to be gone by pick No. 19. With no other first-round receivers available, trading back would make sense for Dallas. They could still get a talented wide receiver at pick No. 30, and now have additional picks to replenish their defense.
As for the Vikings, they would be able to jump teams in need of offensive linemen to get the player of their choice. Detroit (20), Cincinnati (21) and New England (23) are likely to take an offensive lineman, so there is no guarantee that Wynn will fall to pick No. 30. The Vikings are an offensive line away from being Super Bowl favorites, so an aggressive move like this may be in the cards.
Vikings swing a Day 2 trade with Arizona
Minnesota Vikings receive: Pick No. 47
Arizona Cardinals receive: Pick No. 62, Pick No. 94
The Arizona Cardinals seem to be in rebuild mode, meaning they will be open to accumulating as many draft picks as possible. Like the previous scenario, the Vikings may look to move up to take a talented lineman. However, this time they will be targeting Oklahoma tackle Orlando Brown.
At Oklahoma, Brown was an absolute beast at left tackle. His strength and run blocking are second to none, and he could start as a right tackle as a rookie. Heading into the offseason, Brown looked like a surefire first-round talent, but a poor combine performance ruined his draft stock.
He is still likely to be a mid-second round pick, making it unlikely he will fall to the Vikings at pick No. 62. In exchange for their third-round pick, the Vikings could move up 15 spots to take one of the most intriguing players in the draft.
Featured image from vikings.com
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