The NFL offseason is kicking off, and while free agency doesn’t open until March 10, there is a lot of moving pieces already going on around every team. The Minnesota Vikings have had to watch their division rival Bears make two splash trades, the Lions remain steadfast in their approach with a roster ready to win, and the Packers are poised for a big offseason.
The Minnesota Vikings do not have many draft picks to work with in the trade market, but could they be active anyway?
This offseason, more players than ever have been granted permission to use their agent to seek a trade elsewhere. The Vikings have become a welcoming team and state for players looking for big paydays and wanting to be in contention for a Super Bowl. Right now, there are three trade candidates who have been allowed to seek a trade that could make sense for the Vikings.
Harold Landry, Edge, Tennessee Titans
Value He Brings: The Vikings have a string base set, with their edge rushers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard leading the way. They also have former first-round draft pick Dallas Turner, whom Brian Flores has slowly brought along. Landry would bring another experienced edge into the fold, allowing Turner to continue to develop as needed.
Fit with the Vikings: The Vikings are going to lose Pat Jones II and his seven sacks in free agency this year. Landry could fill in that production and tame some pressure off Dallas Turner, who is expected to take Jones II’s spot.
Jonathan Allen, DL, Washington Commanders
Value He Brings: Jonathan Allen is a bonafide run stuffer who can surprise you as a pass rusher in the right situation. Every team has seen the value of the interior pass rush rise in recent years. The Vikings have lacked that in recent years despite hitting on Harrison Phillips in free agency in the past.
Fit with the Vikings: Allen would come in and be a compliment to Harrison Phillips along the Vikings defensive front. The team has been mocked to draft a defensive lineman with his skillset, but trading for him would allow the team to feel more comfortable and allow for a larger role right away.
Davon Godchaux, DL, New England Patriots
Value He Brings: Godchaux would not be providing as much potential pass rush ability as Allen would but the Vikings would definitely be able to stop the run. Godchaux is an athletic big man who moves well as a result but he thrives in taking away running lanes from opposing offenses.
Fit with the Vikings: We saw in the two teams to defeat the Vikings in 2024 that they ran the ball well against the Vikings. The Lions, especially, are not going anywhere in their approach, so having two massive run stuffers in the middle of the line would help the linebackers out in containing them.
