[OC] Analyzing Vikings Trades Since 2010
Analyzing Vikings Trades 2010 to 2017 - How the Vikings turned Matt Cassel into Justin Jefferson
Welcome to my latest article, in which I will go through 8 years of Vikings trades, and examine the careers of the players on each side of the trade, and which team got the better deal. I will conclude with some general thoughts I’ve come up with over the course of writing this article. This is going to be a long one, but by now you should know that's just how I roll.
Without further ado, let’s go!
- Text has been put behind spoiler tags for your viewing pleasure -
Welcome to my latest article, in which I will go through 8 years of Vikings trades, and examine the careers of the players on each side of the trade, and which team got the better deal. I will conclude with some general thoughts I’ve come up with over the course of writing this article. This is going to be a long one, but by now you should know that's just how I roll.
Without further ado, let’s go!
- Text has been put behind spoiler tags for your viewing pleasure -
{2010 Trades}
Sent 1-30 (HB Best), 4-128 (C Jason Fox) for
2-34 (CB Chris Cook), 4-100 (DE Everson Griffen), and 7-214 (TE Mickey Shuler)
What the Lions got: Best was billed as an explosive playmaker, but injuries forced his career to end after only two seasons of play. Fox was a backup center who lasted 3 seasons with the Lions and started 3 games.
What the Vikings got: The Vikings gained draft capital moving down for Chris Cook, who busted completely due to poor coverage and playmaking skills, constant injuries, and off-the-field issues. Thankfully they landed Everson Griffen, who was able to overcome his character issues and started 88 games, recording 74.5 sacks over 10 years. Shuler failed to make the team.
Who won the trade: The Vikings moved down and reportedly got the guy they wanted, but the real prize was when they swapped 4ths and got Griffen. Perhaps if Best could have stayed healthy this would have been an even deal, but there's no question the Vikings won it.
Traded with Texans
Sent 2-62 (traded), 3-93 (traded) for
2-51 (HB Toby Gerhart)
What the Texans got: Houston moved up with #58, getting HB Ben Tate. They moved down with #93, getting LB Darryl Sharpton in the 4th round and CB Sherrick McManis in the 5th round. Tate was a decent HB for Houston in his 3 years there, running for 1992 yards over that stretch, but immediately fell apart once he hit free agency at age 26. Sharpton ended up starting 19 games over 4 years for Houston, compiling 161 tackles. McManis is still in the NFL at age 32! He lasted two years as a backup for Houston, and has been in Chicago since 2012 as a special teamer.
What the Vikings got: Likely the league's best backup HB for a few years... but why did Childress & Co. need to move up for a running back when Adrian Peterson was in the prime of his career? Gerhart added a little value to the 2010-2013 squads, but they had needs at other positions, yet decided that replacing Chester Taylor was more important than anything else, save drafting a CB.
Who won the trade: No question the Texans. Not only did they acquire a better HB when they traded down, but they also got to build depth at LB and CB. Why the Vikings felt they needed to get Gerhart in the door with AP already here is baffling.
Traded with Patriots
Sent 2011 3-74 (QB Ryan Mallett) for
WR Randy Moss, 2012 7-223
What the Patriots got: It would have hurt if the Patriots did something with this pick, but Belichick went for Mallett, a tall and strong-armed QB who struggled with accuracy and had leadership concerns. He was not seen as the future there, as in the final year of his rookie deal he was shipped off to Houston for a 7th rounder in 2016. They eventually traded that pick away in a package deal for #225 WR Devin Lucien and a 4th rounder in 2017, DE Deatrich Wise Jr. Lucien did nothing, but Wise Jr. has 11.5 sacks in 3 years with the team.
What the Vikings got: The husk of Randy Moss, who was promptly released about a month after the trade. The 7th rounder was traded in a package deal for 7th rounder DE Trevor Guyton and a 4th rounder that was used in the 2013 trade up for WR Cordarrelle Patterson. Guyton never made the team and Patterson busted outright, but more on that later.
Who won the trade: Technically the Patriots, but they didn't get much out of the trade. Belichick passed up some better prospects (DT Jurrell Casey, LB K. J. Wright were available) and took the mercurial Mallett. The Vikings really could have used that 3rd rounder for building up the roster.
Sent 1-30 (HB Best), 4-128 (C Jason Fox) for
2-34 (CB Chris Cook), 4-100 (DE Everson Griffen), and 7-214 (TE Mickey Shuler)
What the Lions got: Best was billed as an explosive playmaker, but injuries forced his career to end after only two seasons of play. Fox was a backup center who lasted 3 seasons with the Lions and started 3 games.
What the Vikings got: The Vikings gained draft capital moving down for Chris Cook, who busted completely due to poor coverage and playmaking skills, constant injuries, and off-the-field issues. Thankfully they landed Everson Griffen, who was able to overcome his character issues and started 88 games, recording 74.5 sacks over 10 years. Shuler failed to make the team.
Who won the trade: The Vikings moved down and reportedly got the guy they wanted, but the real prize was when they swapped 4ths and got Griffen. Perhaps if Best could have stayed healthy this would have been an even deal, but there's no question the Vikings won it.
Traded with Texans
Sent 2-62 (traded), 3-93 (traded) for
2-51 (HB Toby Gerhart)
What the Texans got: Houston moved up with #58, getting HB Ben Tate. They moved down with #93, getting LB Darryl Sharpton in the 4th round and CB Sherrick McManis in the 5th round. Tate was a decent HB for Houston in his 3 years there, running for 1992 yards over that stretch, but immediately fell apart once he hit free agency at age 26. Sharpton ended up starting 19 games over 4 years for Houston, compiling 161 tackles. McManis is still in the NFL at age 32! He lasted two years as a backup for Houston, and has been in Chicago since 2012 as a special teamer.
What the Vikings got: Likely the league's best backup HB for a few years... but why did Childress & Co. need to move up for a running back when Adrian Peterson was in the prime of his career? Gerhart added a little value to the 2010-2013 squads, but they had needs at other positions, yet decided that replacing Chester Taylor was more important than anything else, save drafting a CB.
Who won the trade: No question the Texans. Not only did they acquire a better HB when they traded down, but they also got to build depth at LB and CB. Why the Vikings felt they needed to get Gerhart in the door with AP already here is baffling.
Traded with Patriots
Sent 2011 3-74 (QB Ryan Mallett) for
WR Randy Moss, 2012 7-223
What the Patriots got: It would have hurt if the Patriots did something with this pick, but Belichick went for Mallett, a tall and strong-armed QB who struggled with accuracy and had leadership concerns. He was not seen as the future there, as in the final year of his rookie deal he was shipped off to Houston for a 7th rounder in 2016. They eventually traded that pick away in a package deal for #225 WR Devin Lucien and a 4th rounder in 2017, DE Deatrich Wise Jr. Lucien did nothing, but Wise Jr. has 11.5 sacks in 3 years with the team.
What the Vikings got: The husk of Randy Moss, who was promptly released about a month after the trade. The 7th rounder was traded in a package deal for 7th rounder DE Trevor Guyton and a 4th rounder that was used in the 2013 trade up for WR Cordarrelle Patterson. Guyton never made the team and Patterson busted outright, but more on that later.
Who won the trade: Technically the Patriots, but they didn't get much out of the trade. Belichick passed up some better prospects (DT Jurrell Casey, LB K. J. Wright were available) and took the mercurial Mallett. The Vikings really could have used that 3rd rounder for building up the roster.
{2011 Trades}
Traded with Browns
Sent 5-150 (G Jason Pinkston) for
6-168 (T Demarcus Love) and 6-170 (S Mistral Raymond)
What the Browns got: Pinkston started at LG for all 16 games over his rookie year, but clearly they didn't like his play as he only started 8 more games over his Browns career. He lasted only 3 years.
What the Vikings got: Love never made it into a game for the Vikings or any other team. Raymond lasted four seasons with the team and notched 10 starts, ending up with 1 interception and 53 tackles.
Who won the trade: Neither team got much out of the deal.
Traded with Redskins
Sent 2012 6th (HB Alfred Morris) for
QB Donovan McNabb
What the Redskins got: Morris wasn't considered much of a HB prospect, but the Redskins immediately plugged him in as their freature back and he broke loose for an incredible 1,613 yard rookie season, finishing his four year career with 4713 yards for Washington. Yet another reason why teams shouldn't draft HBs early!
What the Vikings got: The rotting remains of a Pro Bowl caliber QB. McNabb started 6 games and looked thoroughly cooked, putting up a 1026/4/2 60.3% line with a 6.6 Y/A and 9.3% sack rate. He was benched for Christian Ponder by Week 7.
Who won the trade: Undoubtedly Washington, as they were able to identify Morris as a top-tier HB right out of the gate. It's a shame he was never given a starting job elsewhere once his deal ran out, but likely that was due to him entering the NFL at age 24.
Traded with Browns
Sent 5-150 (G Jason Pinkston) for
6-168 (T Demarcus Love) and 6-170 (S Mistral Raymond)
What the Browns got: Pinkston started at LG for all 16 games over his rookie year, but clearly they didn't like his play as he only started 8 more games over his Browns career. He lasted only 3 years.
What the Vikings got: Love never made it into a game for the Vikings or any other team. Raymond lasted four seasons with the team and notched 10 starts, ending up with 1 interception and 53 tackles.
Who won the trade: Neither team got much out of the deal.
Traded with Redskins
Sent 2012 6th (HB Alfred Morris) for
QB Donovan McNabb
What the Redskins got: Morris wasn't considered much of a HB prospect, but the Redskins immediately plugged him in as their freature back and he broke loose for an incredible 1,613 yard rookie season, finishing his four year career with 4713 yards for Washington. Yet another reason why teams shouldn't draft HBs early!
What the Vikings got: The rotting remains of a Pro Bowl caliber QB. McNabb started 6 games and looked thoroughly cooked, putting up a 1026/4/2 60.3% line with a 6.6 Y/A and 9.3% sack rate. He was benched for Christian Ponder by Week 7.
Who won the trade: Undoubtedly Washington, as they were able to identify Morris as a top-tier HB right out of the gate. It's a shame he was never given a starting job elsewhere once his deal ran out, but likely that was due to him entering the NFL at age 24.
{2012 Trades}
Traded with Ravens
Sent 2-35 (LB Courtney Upshaw) and 4-98 (G Gino Gradkowski) for
1-29 (S Harrison Smith)
What the Ravens got: Upshaw ended up starting for Baltimore for 4 seasons, totaling 51 starts, 216 tackles, and 5 sacks. Gradkowski lasted only3 seasons with the team and started a 16 game season in 2013, but was only a backup the other two years.
What the Vikings got: An All-Pro safety is all. Smith quickly became one of the best safeties in the league and is still one of the best at age 31.
Who won the trade: The Vikings definitely won this one, although the Ravens acquired a couple of decent players. I believe that trading down is usually a better idea than trading up, but this time the Vikings hit a home run and were able to draft a stud who fell further in the draft than expected. It's one of Spielman's best moves as a GM, and it happened in his first official year as GM.
Traded with Browns
Sent 1-3 (HB Trent Richardson) for
Pick 1-4 (LT Matt Kalil), 4-118 (WR Jarius Wright), 5-139 (S Robert Blanton), and 7-211 (Traded away).
What the Browns got: Paranoid another team was going to move up and snatch HB Trent Richardson, the Browns gave the Vikings a bunch of picks to move up a single spot. Richardson wasn't very good, but they were able to trade him for a 1st round pick midway through his second season. The Colts got nothing out of him as he proved to be a massive bust. With that 1st round pick in 2014, Cleveland moved up with it and selected QB Johnny Manziel... whoops! The Browns were wise to move Richardson so quickly, but they squandered the pick regardless.
What the Vikings got: Kalil was thought to be a franchise LT, but the Vikings only got about two years of good play from. They were going to take him at #3 anyways, so getting Wright (153/2039/10 catches/yards/TDs), Blanton (17 starts, 214 tackles, 1 interception), and a pick that they eventually moved for CB A.J. Jefferson (7 starts over 2 years, 1 interception) was a nice haul.
Who won the trade: The Vikings clearly did, though Kalil didn't pan out as hoped. Getting Wright, Blanton, and Jefferson practically for free was a nice gain.
Traded with Titans
Sent 7-211 (DE Scott Solomon) for
2013 6th (eventually traded for CB A. J. Jefferson)
What the Titans got: Solomon made the team in 2012, but notched only 4 tackles. He failed to make the team in 2013.
What the Vikings got: They moved the 6th rounder for some CB depth, but Jefferson didn't end up doing anything here.
Who won the trade: It ended up as a wash.
Traded with Lions
Sent 5-138 (LB Tahir Whitehead), 7-223 (LB Travis Lewis) for
7-219 (DE Trevor Guyton) and 2013 4th (traded)
What the Lions got: Whitehead broke out in his third year as a starting linebacker for the Lions and continued through 2017, where he then hit free agency and signed a 3 year deal with the Raiders. He turned into a quality starting linebacker. Lewis started 4 games over 4 years for Detroit.
What the Vikings got: We already know Guyton didn't end up doing anything for the Vikings, but they traded that 4th rounder with other picks to move up for Cordarrelle Patterson in 2013.
Who won the trade: The Lions were smart to jump up for Whitehead and dip into their 2013 draft capital. The Vikings got nothing out of this trade, since moving up for Patterson was not a wise move.
Traded with Cardinals
Sent 2013 6th (traded) for
CB A. J. Jefferson and 2013 7th (LB Michael Mauti)
What the Cardinals got: Arizona sent the 6th rounder and a conditional 2014 draft pick for QB Carson Palmer. Bruce Arians was able to get Palmer's career back on track, and the deal proved to be a great move for Arizona.
What the Vikings got: A backup CB and a backup LB.
Traded with Ravens
Sent 2-35 (LB Courtney Upshaw) and 4-98 (G Gino Gradkowski) for
1-29 (S Harrison Smith)
What the Ravens got: Upshaw ended up starting for Baltimore for 4 seasons, totaling 51 starts, 216 tackles, and 5 sacks. Gradkowski lasted only3 seasons with the team and started a 16 game season in 2013, but was only a backup the other two years.
What the Vikings got: An All-Pro safety is all. Smith quickly became one of the best safeties in the league and is still one of the best at age 31.
Who won the trade: The Vikings definitely won this one, although the Ravens acquired a couple of decent players. I believe that trading down is usually a better idea than trading up, but this time the Vikings hit a home run and were able to draft a stud who fell further in the draft than expected. It's one of Spielman's best moves as a GM, and it happened in his first official year as GM.
Traded with Browns
Sent 1-3 (HB Trent Richardson) for
Pick 1-4 (LT Matt Kalil), 4-118 (WR Jarius Wright), 5-139 (S Robert Blanton), and 7-211 (Traded away).
What the Browns got: Paranoid another team was going to move up and snatch HB Trent Richardson, the Browns gave the Vikings a bunch of picks to move up a single spot. Richardson wasn't very good, but they were able to trade him for a 1st round pick midway through his second season. The Colts got nothing out of him as he proved to be a massive bust. With that 1st round pick in 2014, Cleveland moved up with it and selected QB Johnny Manziel... whoops! The Browns were wise to move Richardson so quickly, but they squandered the pick regardless.
What the Vikings got: Kalil was thought to be a franchise LT, but the Vikings only got about two years of good play from. They were going to take him at #3 anyways, so getting Wright (153/2039/10 catches/yards/TDs), Blanton (17 starts, 214 tackles, 1 interception), and a pick that they eventually moved for CB A.J. Jefferson (7 starts over 2 years, 1 interception) was a nice haul.
Who won the trade: The Vikings clearly did, though Kalil didn't pan out as hoped. Getting Wright, Blanton, and Jefferson practically for free was a nice gain.
Traded with Titans
Sent 7-211 (DE Scott Solomon) for
2013 6th (eventually traded for CB A. J. Jefferson)
What the Titans got: Solomon made the team in 2012, but notched only 4 tackles. He failed to make the team in 2013.
What the Vikings got: They moved the 6th rounder for some CB depth, but Jefferson didn't end up doing anything here.
Who won the trade: It ended up as a wash.
Traded with Lions
Sent 5-138 (LB Tahir Whitehead), 7-223 (LB Travis Lewis) for
7-219 (DE Trevor Guyton) and 2013 4th (traded)
What the Lions got: Whitehead broke out in his third year as a starting linebacker for the Lions and continued through 2017, where he then hit free agency and signed a 3 year deal with the Raiders. He turned into a quality starting linebacker. Lewis started 4 games over 4 years for Detroit.
What the Vikings got: We already know Guyton didn't end up doing anything for the Vikings, but they traded that 4th rounder with other picks to move up for Cordarrelle Patterson in 2013.
Who won the trade: The Lions were smart to jump up for Whitehead and dip into their 2013 draft capital. The Vikings got nothing out of this trade, since moving up for Patterson was not a wise move.
Traded with Cardinals
Sent 2013 6th (traded) for
CB A. J. Jefferson and 2013 7th (LB Michael Mauti)
What the Cardinals got: Arizona sent the 6th rounder and a conditional 2014 draft pick for QB Carson Palmer. Bruce Arians was able to get Palmer's career back on track, and the deal proved to be a great move for Arizona.
What the Vikings got: A backup CB and a backup LB.
{2013 Trades}
Traded with the Seahawks
Sent WR Percy Harvin for
1-25 (CB Xavier Rhodes), 7-214 (G Travis Bond), and 2014 3rd (HB Jerick McKinnon)
What the Seahawks got: Basically nothing! Harvin signed a large deal and spent his first season hurt all season, managing a single catch in the regular season, and a kick return touchdown in the Super Bowl. He then wore out his welcome as a locker room cancer, forcing a trade midseason 2014.They paid a ton of money and draft capital for almost nothing.
What the Vikings got: A CB who developed into a Pro Bowler, a offensive lineman who didn't make the team, and a good HB. Quite a nice haul for a single player!
Who won the trade: Spielman got away with armed robbery! A 1st and next year 3rd as a return for Harvin was considered an overpay at the time, and in retrospect it looks even worse. While Rhodes' span of quality play wasn't as long as hoped and McKinnon left in free agency, they still got plenty of value from the two, especially in their 2017 playoff run.
Traded with the Patriots
Sent 2-52 (LB Jamie Collins), 3-83 (CB Logan Ryan), 4-102 (WR Josh Boyce), and 7-229 (traded) for
1-29 (WR Cordarrelle Patterson)
What the Patriots got: The Patriots were able to take Jamie Collins, a prospect who fell much further than anticipated, with the second rounder and were rewarded with some high-level play. They ended up trading him to the Browns mid 2016 for a 3rd rounder. Logan Ryan quickly jumped into the Patriots' CB rotation and picked off 13 passes over his 4 years there, and left for some good money in free agency. Boyce busted with just 9 catches (Belichick has always stunk when drafting WRs). But wait, there's more! The Patriots traded the 7th rounder they received and acquired HB LeGarrette Blount - who became one of their rotational backs and was an effective short yardage option.
For those wondering what happened to the 3rd rounder they got for Collins - that pick was traded to Detroit. The Patriots moved up and picked T Antonio Garcia, and the Lions took WR Kenny Golladay and LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Garcia is still on the Patriots' roster, but has yet to play a game. Golladay, meanwhile, has become the Lions' #1 WR.
What the Vikings got: Patterson turned out to be a bust of a WR, but he was one of the league's best kick returners, and did add some value as a special teamer. He was effective as a offensive wildcard, doing jet sweeps and the like, but never learned to run routes and ran chemistry with a QB.
Who won the trade: Seeing that the Patriots have a couple paragraphs of text, they won this trade by a mile. Belichick happily moved down and took a better prospect in the 2nd round, and found a quality CB in the 3rd.
Traded with the Bucs
Sent 6-189 (HB Mike James) for
6-196 (G Jeff Baca) and 7-229 (DT Everett Dawkins)
What the Bucs got: James was a decent backup HB who ran for 351 yards over 3 seasons, with 4.2 yards a carry and 15 receptions.
What the Vikings got: Baca made the team for a single season but never started, Dawkins didn't make the team.
Who won the trade: The Bucs by default, but even then the gains from this trade was minimal.
Traded with the Seahawks
Sent WR Percy Harvin for
1-25 (CB Xavier Rhodes), 7-214 (G Travis Bond), and 2014 3rd (HB Jerick McKinnon)
What the Seahawks got: Basically nothing! Harvin signed a large deal and spent his first season hurt all season, managing a single catch in the regular season, and a kick return touchdown in the Super Bowl. He then wore out his welcome as a locker room cancer, forcing a trade midseason 2014.They paid a ton of money and draft capital for almost nothing.
What the Vikings got: A CB who developed into a Pro Bowler, a offensive lineman who didn't make the team, and a good HB. Quite a nice haul for a single player!
Who won the trade: Spielman got away with armed robbery! A 1st and next year 3rd as a return for Harvin was considered an overpay at the time, and in retrospect it looks even worse. While Rhodes' span of quality play wasn't as long as hoped and McKinnon left in free agency, they still got plenty of value from the two, especially in their 2017 playoff run.
Traded with the Patriots
Sent 2-52 (LB Jamie Collins), 3-83 (CB Logan Ryan), 4-102 (WR Josh Boyce), and 7-229 (traded) for
1-29 (WR Cordarrelle Patterson)
What the Patriots got: The Patriots were able to take Jamie Collins, a prospect who fell much further than anticipated, with the second rounder and were rewarded with some high-level play. They ended up trading him to the Browns mid 2016 for a 3rd rounder. Logan Ryan quickly jumped into the Patriots' CB rotation and picked off 13 passes over his 4 years there, and left for some good money in free agency. Boyce busted with just 9 catches (Belichick has always stunk when drafting WRs). But wait, there's more! The Patriots traded the 7th rounder they received and acquired HB LeGarrette Blount - who became one of their rotational backs and was an effective short yardage option.
For those wondering what happened to the 3rd rounder they got for Collins - that pick was traded to Detroit. The Patriots moved up and picked T Antonio Garcia, and the Lions took WR Kenny Golladay and LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Garcia is still on the Patriots' roster, but has yet to play a game. Golladay, meanwhile, has become the Lions' #1 WR.
What the Vikings got: Patterson turned out to be a bust of a WR, but he was one of the league's best kick returners, and did add some value as a special teamer. He was effective as a offensive wildcard, doing jet sweeps and the like, but never learned to run routes and ran chemistry with a QB.
Who won the trade: Seeing that the Patriots have a couple paragraphs of text, they won this trade by a mile. Belichick happily moved down and took a better prospect in the 2nd round, and found a quality CB in the 3rd.
Traded with the Bucs
Sent 6-189 (HB Mike James) for
6-196 (G Jeff Baca) and 7-229 (DT Everett Dawkins)
What the Bucs got: James was a decent backup HB who ran for 351 yards over 3 seasons, with 4.2 yards a carry and 15 receptions.
What the Vikings got: Baca made the team for a single season but never started, Dawkins didn't make the team.
Who won the trade: The Bucs by default, but even then the gains from this trade was minimal.
{2014 Trades}
Traded with Seahawks
Sent 2-40 (traded), 4-108 (DE Cassius Marsh) for
1-32 (QB Teddy Bridgewater)
What the Seahawks got: Seattle traded down again with the 40th pick, getting the 45th pick. They took WR Paul Richardson, but didn't get a whole lot from him. It took him until his 4th season in Seattle to become a starter and posted a 44/703/6 line, and immediately left in free agency. They also received pick 4-111,but traded it away for another 4th (WR Kevin Norwood) and a 6th (T Garrett Scott). Norwood caught 9 passes over his whole career, and Scott was cut the day after he signed his rookie deal since he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition. They also drafted FB Kiero Small, but he didn't make the team. Finally, they also took Marsh, a rotational pass rusher who notched 3 sacks for Seattle over 3 years.
What the Vikings got: They should have got a franchise QB from Bridgewater, but a freak injury a couple weeks before the 2016 season started prevented him from becoming what the Vikings were hoping to get.
Who won the trade: Hmmm... I'd say this was an even trade. The Vikings paid a 4th rounder to jump up 8 spots for a QB they liked, which was a fair price, and despite Seattle's best attempts to acquire as much draft capital as they wanted, none of their guys panned out as they hoped. Only Richardson ever cracked the starting lineup, and that was for a single year.
Traded with the Browns
Sent 1-8 (CB Justin Gilbert) for
1-9 (OLB Anthony Barr) and 5-145 (T David Yankey)
What the Browns got: Once again, Cleveland felt like they had to move up for a prospect, and once again the player was a massive bust. Gilbert started only 3 games for the Browns over 2 seasons, with many attributing his poor play due to a lack of effort and maturity problems.
What the Vikings got: Barr never lived up to his billing as the 9th overall pick in the 2014 draft, but he's been an above average starter for several seasons. Yankey was thought to be a steal in the 5th round, but never got a chance after spending a year on the roster.
Who won the trade: The Vikings, only by default since they once again gained draft capital and still took the guy they wanted.
Traded with the Panthers
Sent 5-148 (CB Bene Bewikere) for
5-168 (traded) and 7-225 (Jabari Price)
What the Panthers got: Benwikere ended up as a quality backup who started 14 games over 3 seasons and recorded 2 interceptions.
What the Vikings got: They traded down again (see below). CB Jabari Price made the team his rookie year and played special teams, but didn't make the team in 2015.
I'll wrap in the following trade with this one:
Traded with the Falcons
Sent 5-168 (LB Marquis Spruill) for
6-182 (SS Antone Exum) and 7-220 (DT Shamar Stephen)
What the Falcons got: Spruill never made the field as a Falcon.
What the Vikings got: Exum was a decent backup who started 2 games over 2 seasons, and then played the next 3 years for the 49ers as a backup, starting 8 games. Stephen developed into a decent run stuffer and has become a starting DT, though a rather weak one due to having no pass rush capabilities.
Who won the two trades: I think the Panthers made off well with the first trade, as Benwikere was a nice pickup. Meanwhile, the Falcons got nothing out of Spruill, so they certainly lost their trade. As for the Vikings, getting Stephen in the 7th round was a nice find, so they didn't lose either trade, but didn't get much from them either.
Traded with Seahawks
Sent 2-40 (traded), 4-108 (DE Cassius Marsh) for
1-32 (QB Teddy Bridgewater)
What the Seahawks got: Seattle traded down again with the 40th pick, getting the 45th pick. They took WR Paul Richardson, but didn't get a whole lot from him. It took him until his 4th season in Seattle to become a starter and posted a 44/703/6 line, and immediately left in free agency. They also received pick 4-111,but traded it away for another 4th (WR Kevin Norwood) and a 6th (T Garrett Scott). Norwood caught 9 passes over his whole career, and Scott was cut the day after he signed his rookie deal since he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition. They also drafted FB Kiero Small, but he didn't make the team. Finally, they also took Marsh, a rotational pass rusher who notched 3 sacks for Seattle over 3 years.
What the Vikings got: They should have got a franchise QB from Bridgewater, but a freak injury a couple weeks before the 2016 season started prevented him from becoming what the Vikings were hoping to get.
Who won the trade: Hmmm... I'd say this was an even trade. The Vikings paid a 4th rounder to jump up 8 spots for a QB they liked, which was a fair price, and despite Seattle's best attempts to acquire as much draft capital as they wanted, none of their guys panned out as they hoped. Only Richardson ever cracked the starting lineup, and that was for a single year.
Traded with the Browns
Sent 1-8 (CB Justin Gilbert) for
1-9 (OLB Anthony Barr) and 5-145 (T David Yankey)
What the Browns got: Once again, Cleveland felt like they had to move up for a prospect, and once again the player was a massive bust. Gilbert started only 3 games for the Browns over 2 seasons, with many attributing his poor play due to a lack of effort and maturity problems.
What the Vikings got: Barr never lived up to his billing as the 9th overall pick in the 2014 draft, but he's been an above average starter for several seasons. Yankey was thought to be a steal in the 5th round, but never got a chance after spending a year on the roster.
Who won the trade: The Vikings, only by default since they once again gained draft capital and still took the guy they wanted.
Traded with the Panthers
Sent 5-148 (CB Bene Bewikere) for
5-168 (traded) and 7-225 (Jabari Price)
What the Panthers got: Benwikere ended up as a quality backup who started 14 games over 3 seasons and recorded 2 interceptions.
What the Vikings got: They traded down again (see below). CB Jabari Price made the team his rookie year and played special teams, but didn't make the team in 2015.
I'll wrap in the following trade with this one:
Traded with the Falcons
Sent 5-168 (LB Marquis Spruill) for
6-182 (SS Antone Exum) and 7-220 (DT Shamar Stephen)
What the Falcons got: Spruill never made the field as a Falcon.
What the Vikings got: Exum was a decent backup who started 2 games over 2 seasons, and then played the next 3 years for the 49ers as a backup, starting 8 games. Stephen developed into a decent run stuffer and has become a starting DT, though a rather weak one due to having no pass rush capabilities.
Who won the two trades: I think the Panthers made off well with the first trade, as Benwikere was a nice pickup. Meanwhile, the Falcons got nothing out of Spruill, so they certainly lost their trade. As for the Vikings, getting Stephen in the 7th round was a nice find, so they didn't lose either trade, but didn't get much from them either.
{2015 Trades}
Traded with Bills
Sent QB Matt Cassel, 6-188 (LB Tony Steward) for
5-137 (traded) and 2016 7th (traded)
What the Bills got: Cassel played backup QB to Tyrod Taylor for part of 2015, but then cut him midseason. He started one game for the Bills, but did not throw a pass in it (it was a bluff start, as Taylor was the real starter). Steward made the team, but recorded 2 tackles and failed to make any team in 2016.
What the Vikings got: Let's move onto the trades where they moved their two picks:
Traded with the Falcons
Sent 5-137 (DT Grady Jarrett) for
5-146 (WR Stefon Diggs) and 6-185 (G Tyrus Thompson)
What the Falcons got: One of the best pass rushing DTs in the NFL. Jarrett has recorded 21.5 sacks and has been a great pressure-generating machine and is also no slouch in the run stopping department. Getting Jarrett here was an absolute steal.
What the Vikings got: Another absolute steal! Diggs fell due to injury concerns, but he shed those as he quickly seized a starting job in his rookie year and has improved his game every year since. He's become a #1 WR, but has since been traded - we'll get to that later. Thompson never made an NFL roster.
Who won the trades: The Bills clearly lost their trade, as Cassel was no help to them and Steward did nothing with the team. With both Jarrett and Diggs on the board for their 5th round pick, they missed out big time.
Meanwhile, the Vikings and Falcons had a rare win-win trade where both teams made great moves. The Falcons were wise to jump up and grab Jarrett as he was inexplicably still available in the 5th round (at the time, PFF was saying he should have been a late 1st-2nd round pick). The Vikings were also able to sit back and let Diggs fall to them, though they got nothing from Thompson. Still, a great move for both teams.
Traded with the Chiefs
Sent 3-76 (WR Chris Conley) for
3-80 (traded) and 6-193 (DT B.J. Dubose)
What the Chiefs got: Kansas City moved up for a receiver who nailed the combine, but was a mediocre player through and though. His best year in KC ended with a 44/530/0 line.
What the Vikings got: We'll talk about pick 3-80 on the next trade. Dubose was a bust who seemed to be a better fit for a 3-4 defense. He played in one game, the playoff game against Seattle. He then tore his ACL in 2016 and never resurfaced.
Traded with the Lions
Sent 3-80 (CB Alex Carter) for
3-88 (DE Danielle Hunter) and 5-143 (TE MyCole Pruitt)
What the Lions got: Nothing! Carter played just a single game for the Lions and did not record any stats. A complete and total bust for a 3rd rounder they felt the need to trade up for!
What the Vikings got: Just one of the best DEs in the NFL, that's all. Hunter has already piled up 54.5 sacks in 5 seasons, and only 3 seasons as a full-time starter. It's debatable to say that "the Vikings waited for their guy to drop", but Hunter was clearly not near the top of anyone else's boards after a lackluster college career. As for the 5th rounder, Pruitt made just 11 catches as a Viking and was released mid-2016. He's developed into a quality backup TE and has helped the Titans the past couple seasons, with 11 starts. They probably should have given Pruitt more time on the roster before axing him.
Who won the trades: The Vikings clearly won them both. The Chiefs and Lions jumped at mediocre players, while the Vikings sat back and took Hunter. It's too bad they got little to nothing from the two late rounders gained from these trades, though.
Traded with the Chargers
Sent 2016 6th (FB Derek Watt) for
G/T Jeremiah Sirles
What the Chargers got: Watt has been the Chargers' starting fullback for 4 seasons now. The Chargers don't use him all that often (125 snaps in 2019), but he's a fine role player.
What the Vikings got: A decent backup O-lineman who started 15 games for the Vikings over two seasons.
Who won the trade: It's mostly a wash in my opinion, as the Vikings got a capable backup and the Chargers got a rotational player.
Traded with the 49ers
Sent LB Gerald Hodges for
C Nick Easton and 2016 6th (WR Moritz Boehringer)
What the 49ers got: Hodges started 4 games for them in 2015 and 12 in 2016 and was a highly rated player by PFF. However, he hit free agency with zero fanfare and only was given backup gigs. In 2016 Hodges had 83 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions, so I'm not sure why the 49ers didn't try to bring him back.
What the Vikings got: Easton was just a UDFA at the time, but he ended up as the Vikings' starting LG in 2017 as he pushed Alex Boone out of the role. He started 17 games in Minnesota, but missed the entire 2018 season with a herniated disc. Boehringer gave the team nothing as he wasn't even worth putting on the practice squad. He wasn't ready for American football.
Who won the trade: I'd say the 49ers won by a slight margin, but the Vikings needed O-line help and Hodges was effectively replaced by Kendricks. The Vikings may have won the trade if Easton were to stay healthy and not bolt in free agency.
Traded with Bills
Sent QB Matt Cassel, 6-188 (LB Tony Steward) for
5-137 (traded) and 2016 7th (traded)
What the Bills got: Cassel played backup QB to Tyrod Taylor for part of 2015, but then cut him midseason. He started one game for the Bills, but did not throw a pass in it (it was a bluff start, as Taylor was the real starter). Steward made the team, but recorded 2 tackles and failed to make any team in 2016.
What the Vikings got: Let's move onto the trades where they moved their two picks:
Traded with the Falcons
Sent 5-137 (DT Grady Jarrett) for
5-146 (WR Stefon Diggs) and 6-185 (G Tyrus Thompson)
What the Falcons got: One of the best pass rushing DTs in the NFL. Jarrett has recorded 21.5 sacks and has been a great pressure-generating machine and is also no slouch in the run stopping department. Getting Jarrett here was an absolute steal.
What the Vikings got: Another absolute steal! Diggs fell due to injury concerns, but he shed those as he quickly seized a starting job in his rookie year and has improved his game every year since. He's become a #1 WR, but has since been traded - we'll get to that later. Thompson never made an NFL roster.
Who won the trades: The Bills clearly lost their trade, as Cassel was no help to them and Steward did nothing with the team. With both Jarrett and Diggs on the board for their 5th round pick, they missed out big time.
Meanwhile, the Vikings and Falcons had a rare win-win trade where both teams made great moves. The Falcons were wise to jump up and grab Jarrett as he was inexplicably still available in the 5th round (at the time, PFF was saying he should have been a late 1st-2nd round pick). The Vikings were also able to sit back and let Diggs fall to them, though they got nothing from Thompson. Still, a great move for both teams.
Traded with the Chiefs
Sent 3-76 (WR Chris Conley) for
3-80 (traded) and 6-193 (DT B.J. Dubose)
What the Chiefs got: Kansas City moved up for a receiver who nailed the combine, but was a mediocre player through and though. His best year in KC ended with a 44/530/0 line.
What the Vikings got: We'll talk about pick 3-80 on the next trade. Dubose was a bust who seemed to be a better fit for a 3-4 defense. He played in one game, the playoff game against Seattle. He then tore his ACL in 2016 and never resurfaced.
Traded with the Lions
Sent 3-80 (CB Alex Carter) for
3-88 (DE Danielle Hunter) and 5-143 (TE MyCole Pruitt)
What the Lions got: Nothing! Carter played just a single game for the Lions and did not record any stats. A complete and total bust for a 3rd rounder they felt the need to trade up for!
What the Vikings got: Just one of the best DEs in the NFL, that's all. Hunter has already piled up 54.5 sacks in 5 seasons, and only 3 seasons as a full-time starter. It's debatable to say that "the Vikings waited for their guy to drop", but Hunter was clearly not near the top of anyone else's boards after a lackluster college career. As for the 5th rounder, Pruitt made just 11 catches as a Viking and was released mid-2016. He's developed into a quality backup TE and has helped the Titans the past couple seasons, with 11 starts. They probably should have given Pruitt more time on the roster before axing him.
Who won the trades: The Vikings clearly won them both. The Chiefs and Lions jumped at mediocre players, while the Vikings sat back and took Hunter. It's too bad they got little to nothing from the two late rounders gained from these trades, though.
Traded with the Chargers
Sent 2016 6th (FB Derek Watt) for
G/T Jeremiah Sirles
What the Chargers got: Watt has been the Chargers' starting fullback for 4 seasons now. The Chargers don't use him all that often (125 snaps in 2019), but he's a fine role player.
What the Vikings got: A decent backup O-lineman who started 15 games for the Vikings over two seasons.
Who won the trade: It's mostly a wash in my opinion, as the Vikings got a capable backup and the Chargers got a rotational player.
Traded with the 49ers
Sent LB Gerald Hodges for
C Nick Easton and 2016 6th (WR Moritz Boehringer)
What the 49ers got: Hodges started 4 games for them in 2015 and 12 in 2016 and was a highly rated player by PFF. However, he hit free agency with zero fanfare and only was given backup gigs. In 2016 Hodges had 83 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions, so I'm not sure why the 49ers didn't try to bring him back.
What the Vikings got: Easton was just a UDFA at the time, but he ended up as the Vikings' starting LG in 2017 as he pushed Alex Boone out of the role. He started 17 games in Minnesota, but missed the entire 2018 season with a herniated disc. Boehringer gave the team nothing as he wasn't even worth putting on the practice squad. He wasn't ready for American football.
Who won the trade: I'd say the 49ers won by a slight margin, but the Vikings needed O-line help and Hodges was effectively replaced by Kendricks. The Vikings may have won the trade if Easton were to stay healthy and not bolt in free agency.
{2016 Trades}
Traded with the Dolphins
Sent 3-86 (WR Leonte Carroo) for
6-186 (traded), 2017 3rd (traded), and 2017 4th (traded)
What the Dolphins got: A receiver who was not good at playing football. Carroo played 3 seasons for Miami and caught 12 passes. Why the Fins traded so much draft capital for the Rutgers product confused me at the time, and still does now.
What the Vikings got: Oh great, I don't even have a name to give you since Spielman was busy swapping so many picks. I'll get back to you on these, but fun fact: the 2017 3rd we got turned into HB Kareem Hunt.
Traded with Dolphins again
Sent 6-186 (WR Jakeem Grant) back to Miami for
6-196 (traded) and 7-227 (DE Stephen Weatherly)
What the Dolphins got: Apparently they wanted to get pick 6-186 back, so they traded up again to get it. This one was more wisely spent on Grant, a quality returner (2 KR TDs and 2 PR TDs) and a decent receiver (53/635/4 over four years). This was a much better pick than their 3rd rounder.
What the Vikings got: The new 6th was traded again, so I'll get to that in the next acquisition. Weatherly provided 6 sacks as a rotational pass rusher.
Traded with the Eagles
Sent 6-196 (S Blake Countess) and 7-240 (DE Alex McCalister) for
6-188 (TE David Morgan)
What the Eagles got: Both Countess and McCalister failed to make the Eagles' roster. Countess has become a special teamer for the Rams and Jets, while McCalister has never played a down in the NFL.
What the Vikings got: A solid blocking TE. Morgan did well as a part-timer, but he suffered a knee dislocation in 2018 and couldn't play in 2019, and it appears his career may be over due to the injury.
Who won the trades: The Dolphins made a solid trade moving up for Grant, and the Vikings benefitted from getting some quality backups in Weatherly and Morgan. The Eagles got nothing out of their trade down.
Traded with the Eagles again
Sent 2017 1st (DE Derek Barnett) and 2018 4th (DE Josh Sweat) for
QB Sam Bradford
What the Eagles got: Not needing Bradford with Carson Wentz in the fold, the Eagles were able to get one of the best pass rushers in the 2017 class, Derek Barnett. He has since started 20 games and recorded 14 sacks over 3 years, but is most known for his well-timed strip sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl 52. Sweat has been a rotational pass rusher for Philly, with 4 sacks over 2 seasons.
What the Vikings got: With Bridgewater's knee gone kaput, Bradford was supposed to salvage the season and also provide the team with a starting QB in 2017, since it was unlikely Teddy would play at all in 2017. After a hot start to 2016, the offense slumped and Bradford didn't have what it took to elevate the team with a dumpster fire of an offensive line. He started the 2017 season as the starting QB, had a great Week 1, but then suffered a mysterious knee bruise that wouldn't go away. He lost his starting job to Keenum and was healthy for just 3 games out of 19 in 2017. The Vikings did net a 3rd rounder in compensation (the pick was eventually turned into HB Alexander Mattison).
Who won the trade: The Eagles, by a landslide. Barnett looks to be a league average DE, but his Super Bowl-winning play puts a cherry on the top of this cake. That's not even including that Barnett & Sweat have 2 years of control on their rookie deals. The Vikings were desperate to pay for a QB, and the Eagles were smart to play the long game and give Wentz a chance as a rookie, and save some money by moving on from Bradford. The Vikes really could have used this draft capital to support their 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Traded with the Dolphins
Sent 3-86 (WR Leonte Carroo) for
6-186 (traded), 2017 3rd (traded), and 2017 4th (traded)
What the Dolphins got: A receiver who was not good at playing football. Carroo played 3 seasons for Miami and caught 12 passes. Why the Fins traded so much draft capital for the Rutgers product confused me at the time, and still does now.
What the Vikings got: Oh great, I don't even have a name to give you since Spielman was busy swapping so many picks. I'll get back to you on these, but fun fact: the 2017 3rd we got turned into HB Kareem Hunt.
Traded with Dolphins again
Sent 6-186 (WR Jakeem Grant) back to Miami for
6-196 (traded) and 7-227 (DE Stephen Weatherly)
What the Dolphins got: Apparently they wanted to get pick 6-186 back, so they traded up again to get it. This one was more wisely spent on Grant, a quality returner (2 KR TDs and 2 PR TDs) and a decent receiver (53/635/4 over four years). This was a much better pick than their 3rd rounder.
What the Vikings got: The new 6th was traded again, so I'll get to that in the next acquisition. Weatherly provided 6 sacks as a rotational pass rusher.
Traded with the Eagles
Sent 6-196 (S Blake Countess) and 7-240 (DE Alex McCalister) for
6-188 (TE David Morgan)
What the Eagles got: Both Countess and McCalister failed to make the Eagles' roster. Countess has become a special teamer for the Rams and Jets, while McCalister has never played a down in the NFL.
What the Vikings got: A solid blocking TE. Morgan did well as a part-timer, but he suffered a knee dislocation in 2018 and couldn't play in 2019, and it appears his career may be over due to the injury.
Who won the trades: The Dolphins made a solid trade moving up for Grant, and the Vikings benefitted from getting some quality backups in Weatherly and Morgan. The Eagles got nothing out of their trade down.
Traded with the Eagles again
Sent 2017 1st (DE Derek Barnett) and 2018 4th (DE Josh Sweat) for
QB Sam Bradford
What the Eagles got: Not needing Bradford with Carson Wentz in the fold, the Eagles were able to get one of the best pass rushers in the 2017 class, Derek Barnett. He has since started 20 games and recorded 14 sacks over 3 years, but is most known for his well-timed strip sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl 52. Sweat has been a rotational pass rusher for Philly, with 4 sacks over 2 seasons.
What the Vikings got: With Bridgewater's knee gone kaput, Bradford was supposed to salvage the season and also provide the team with a starting QB in 2017, since it was unlikely Teddy would play at all in 2017. After a hot start to 2016, the offense slumped and Bradford didn't have what it took to elevate the team with a dumpster fire of an offensive line. He started the 2017 season as the starting QB, had a great Week 1, but then suffered a mysterious knee bruise that wouldn't go away. He lost his starting job to Keenum and was healthy for just 3 games out of 19 in 2017. The Vikings did net a 3rd rounder in compensation (the pick was eventually turned into HB Alexander Mattison).
Who won the trade: The Eagles, by a landslide. Barnett looks to be a league average DE, but his Super Bowl-winning play puts a cherry on the top of this cake. That's not even including that Barnett & Sweat have 2 years of control on their rookie deals. The Vikings were desperate to pay for a QB, and the Eagles were smart to play the long game and give Wentz a chance as a rookie, and save some money by moving on from Bradford. The Vikes really could have used this draft capital to support their 2018 and 2019 seasons.
{2017 Trades}
7 trades over 2 days... oof. Here we go:
Traded with Bengals
Sent 2-48 (HB Joe Mixon) and 4-128 (WR Josh Malone) for
2-41 (HB Dalvin Cook)
What the Bengals got: Despite his off-the-field issues, Mixon has proven to be a capable HB. The Bengals' problem on offense has stemmed from their terrible O-lines, and I think Mixon would truly explode with a better team. Malone has already flamed out, released from the Bengals and is now a Jet.
What the Vikings got: An explosive HB, but a fragile one. When healthy, Cook is a step above Mixon, but he's missed 19 games to Mixon's 4.
Who won the trade: The Bengals win this trade by a little bit, but they wasted the 4th rounder. I like the move to trade up for Cook, but he hasn't stayed healthy enough to prove that he is indeed the better player than Mixon.
Traded with the Jets
Sent 3-79 (WR ArDarius Stewart) and 5-160 (traded) for
3-70 (G/C Pat Elflein)
What the Jets got: Almost nothing - Stewart has touched the ball 13 times in 3 full seasons, spending time on the IR, and while he remains on their roster, he's not likely going to make the team. They traded back with the 5th rounder and got HB Elijah McGuire, a sub-replacement level HB, and DT Dylan Donahue, who made 5 tackles in his rookie year and then was released.
What the Vikings got: It would seem getting an offensive lineman in the 3rd round to start 42 games in his first 3 seasons would be a good thing, but he's become a constant liability in the Vikings' O-line. His best play came from his rookie season at center, but since breaking his leg in the 2017 playoffs, he has been a sieve.
Who won the trade: The Vikings certainly did since the Jets got virtually nothing, but Elflein's recent poor play taints this trade's value.
Traded with the Chiefs
Sent 3-86 (HB Kareem Hunt) for
Pick 3-104 (traded), 4-132 (traded), and 7-245 (DB Jack Tocho)
What the Chiefs got: Initially this move seemed to be a home run - Hunt had a phenomenal rookie season with 1782 yards from scrimmage and 11 TDs and was rolling in 2018 when his off-the-field issues caught up to him. The Chiefs immediately released him when video footage was released.
What the Vikings got: They quickly traded away two of the picks, so we'll get to those. Tocho was a practice squad body who never played a down for the Vikings.
Traded with the 49ers
Sent 3-104 (QB C.J. Beathard) for
4-109 (DT Jaleel Johnson) and 7-219 (WR Stacy Coley)
What the 49ers got: I considered Beathard a 7th round prospect at the time, so it was baffling to see the 49ers jump up for him. Beathard went 1-9 filling in for Garoppolo over 2017-18, with a disgusting 2682/12/13 57.3% line. He's since been passed up by Nick Mullens as the 49ers' backup QB. This is not a wise way to use draft capital.
What the Vikings got: While Johnson hasn't been able to break into the starting lineup, he's become a decent rotational interior lineman. Coley was released in his second season after dropping a critical pass in the Week 2 matchup against Green Bay and did not play in 2019.
Who won the trades: I'll give the Chiefs a win despite needing to release Hunt in his second season, as his play over 2017-18 was 1st round quality for a 3rd round pick. The 49ers were foolish to move up for a pedestrian QB prospect. The Vikings got nothing out of Tocho and Coley, but it's not like they were going to draft Hunt.
Traded with the Eagles
Sent 4-132 (HB Donnel Pumphrey) for
4-139 (traded) and 7-230 (traded)
What the Eagles got: A lightweight HB at 5'9" 176 lbs, Pumphrey was billed as the next Darren Sproles, but spent his rookie year on the IR and then 2018 on Philly's practice squad, just to be cut from the PS midseason. He never played a down for any team.
What the Vikings got: More trades!! Spielman made sure to re-stock the shelves after trading up in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Let's see what happened to these picks:
Traded with the Chiefs again
Sent 4-139 (WR Jehu Chesson) for
5-170 (WR Rodney Adams) and 5-180 (G Danny Isidora)
What the Chiefs got: A receiver who caught 2 passes in his rookie season, and promptly failed to make the team in 2018. He caught 1 pass with the Redskins. He is currently a Jet,
but is unlikely to develop as he's already 27.
What the Vikings got: A return-only specialist, Adams had a terrible 2017 preseason as he couldn't catch or handle the football. A scouting report on him once said that he had "bricks for hands". He was cut a few weeks into the season. Isidora was able to hang around as a backup guard and started 3 games, but he was traded away right before the 2019 season for a 7th rounder, as he wasn't going to make the team. The Dolphins immediately plugged him in as a starter, but in Week 3 he was injured and hit the IR. The Vikings traded down with this 7th round pick again and took DE Kenny Willekes in the 7th round of the 2020 draft, and have a 5th rounder for the 2021 draft.
Who won the trades: Both the Eagles and Chiefs jumped up for position players who offered nothing as NFL players. The Vikings eeked some value out of Isidora... but let's see what they did with that 7th rounder.
Traded with the Redskins
Sent 6-199 (C Chase Roullier) and 7-230 (LB Josh Harvey-Clemons) for
6-201 (TE Bucky Hodges) and 7-220 (DE Ifeadi Odenigbo)
What the Redskins got: Roullier took over the center job midway through his rookie season, and has started 47 games in his first 3 seasons and has been a quality center. JHC is a special teamer linebacker/safety who has yet to start a game, but has contributed 41 tackles (29 solo).
What the Vikings got: Hodges was hyped up as a 3rd/4th round prospect with a great speed and size combo, but he quickly flamed out and couldn't make the opening day roster. Odenigbo failed to make the team in 2017 & 2018 and bounced around with a few teams in 2018. He returned to Minnesota in 2019, however, and beat the odds to become a key rotational DE and recorded a whopping 7 sacks. Very few players ever rebound like this - and now Odenigbo is in line to be a starter in 2020.
Who won the trade: The Skins win this thanks to the play of Roullier. However, with another 2 years of control of Odenigbo, you can't say the Vikings lost this trade yet. It would have been nice to get Roullier over a bust like Hodges, though.
I’ve opted not to cover the 2018 through 2020 trades since they’ve happened too soon to be fully examined.
7 trades over 2 days... oof. Here we go:
Traded with Bengals
Sent 2-48 (HB Joe Mixon) and 4-128 (WR Josh Malone) for
2-41 (HB Dalvin Cook)
What the Bengals got: Despite his off-the-field issues, Mixon has proven to be a capable HB. The Bengals' problem on offense has stemmed from their terrible O-lines, and I think Mixon would truly explode with a better team. Malone has already flamed out, released from the Bengals and is now a Jet.
What the Vikings got: An explosive HB, but a fragile one. When healthy, Cook is a step above Mixon, but he's missed 19 games to Mixon's 4.
Who won the trade: The Bengals win this trade by a little bit, but they wasted the 4th rounder. I like the move to trade up for Cook, but he hasn't stayed healthy enough to prove that he is indeed the better player than Mixon.
Traded with the Jets
Sent 3-79 (WR ArDarius Stewart) and 5-160 (traded) for
3-70 (G/C Pat Elflein)
What the Jets got: Almost nothing - Stewart has touched the ball 13 times in 3 full seasons, spending time on the IR, and while he remains on their roster, he's not likely going to make the team. They traded back with the 5th rounder and got HB Elijah McGuire, a sub-replacement level HB, and DT Dylan Donahue, who made 5 tackles in his rookie year and then was released.
What the Vikings got: It would seem getting an offensive lineman in the 3rd round to start 42 games in his first 3 seasons would be a good thing, but he's become a constant liability in the Vikings' O-line. His best play came from his rookie season at center, but since breaking his leg in the 2017 playoffs, he has been a sieve.
Who won the trade: The Vikings certainly did since the Jets got virtually nothing, but Elflein's recent poor play taints this trade's value.
Traded with the Chiefs
Sent 3-86 (HB Kareem Hunt) for
Pick 3-104 (traded), 4-132 (traded), and 7-245 (DB Jack Tocho)
What the Chiefs got: Initially this move seemed to be a home run - Hunt had a phenomenal rookie season with 1782 yards from scrimmage and 11 TDs and was rolling in 2018 when his off-the-field issues caught up to him. The Chiefs immediately released him when video footage was released.
What the Vikings got: They quickly traded away two of the picks, so we'll get to those. Tocho was a practice squad body who never played a down for the Vikings.
Traded with the 49ers
Sent 3-104 (QB C.J. Beathard) for
4-109 (DT Jaleel Johnson) and 7-219 (WR Stacy Coley)
What the 49ers got: I considered Beathard a 7th round prospect at the time, so it was baffling to see the 49ers jump up for him. Beathard went 1-9 filling in for Garoppolo over 2017-18, with a disgusting 2682/12/13 57.3% line. He's since been passed up by Nick Mullens as the 49ers' backup QB. This is not a wise way to use draft capital.
What the Vikings got: While Johnson hasn't been able to break into the starting lineup, he's become a decent rotational interior lineman. Coley was released in his second season after dropping a critical pass in the Week 2 matchup against Green Bay and did not play in 2019.
Who won the trades: I'll give the Chiefs a win despite needing to release Hunt in his second season, as his play over 2017-18 was 1st round quality for a 3rd round pick. The 49ers were foolish to move up for a pedestrian QB prospect. The Vikings got nothing out of Tocho and Coley, but it's not like they were going to draft Hunt.
Traded with the Eagles
Sent 4-132 (HB Donnel Pumphrey) for
4-139 (traded) and 7-230 (traded)
What the Eagles got: A lightweight HB at 5'9" 176 lbs, Pumphrey was billed as the next Darren Sproles, but spent his rookie year on the IR and then 2018 on Philly's practice squad, just to be cut from the PS midseason. He never played a down for any team.
What the Vikings got: More trades!! Spielman made sure to re-stock the shelves after trading up in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Let's see what happened to these picks:
Traded with the Chiefs again
Sent 4-139 (WR Jehu Chesson) for
5-170 (WR Rodney Adams) and 5-180 (G Danny Isidora)
What the Chiefs got: A receiver who caught 2 passes in his rookie season, and promptly failed to make the team in 2018. He caught 1 pass with the Redskins. He is currently a Jet,
but is unlikely to develop as he's already 27.
What the Vikings got: A return-only specialist, Adams had a terrible 2017 preseason as he couldn't catch or handle the football. A scouting report on him once said that he had "bricks for hands". He was cut a few weeks into the season. Isidora was able to hang around as a backup guard and started 3 games, but he was traded away right before the 2019 season for a 7th rounder, as he wasn't going to make the team. The Dolphins immediately plugged him in as a starter, but in Week 3 he was injured and hit the IR. The Vikings traded down with this 7th round pick again and took DE Kenny Willekes in the 7th round of the 2020 draft, and have a 5th rounder for the 2021 draft.
Who won the trades: Both the Eagles and Chiefs jumped up for position players who offered nothing as NFL players. The Vikings eeked some value out of Isidora... but let's see what they did with that 7th rounder.
Traded with the Redskins
Sent 6-199 (C Chase Roullier) and 7-230 (LB Josh Harvey-Clemons) for
6-201 (TE Bucky Hodges) and 7-220 (DE Ifeadi Odenigbo)
What the Redskins got: Roullier took over the center job midway through his rookie season, and has started 47 games in his first 3 seasons and has been a quality center. JHC is a special teamer linebacker/safety who has yet to start a game, but has contributed 41 tackles (29 solo).
What the Vikings got: Hodges was hyped up as a 3rd/4th round prospect with a great speed and size combo, but he quickly flamed out and couldn't make the opening day roster. Odenigbo failed to make the team in 2017 & 2018 and bounced around with a few teams in 2018. He returned to Minnesota in 2019, however, and beat the odds to become a key rotational DE and recorded a whopping 7 sacks. Very few players ever rebound like this - and now Odenigbo is in line to be a starter in 2020.
Who won the trade: The Skins win this thanks to the play of Roullier. However, with another 2 years of control of Odenigbo, you can't say the Vikings lost this trade yet. It would have been nice to get Roullier over a bust like Hodges, though.
I’ve opted not to cover the 2018 through 2020 trades since they’ve happened too soon to be fully examined.
{Summary of Trade Types}
Trading Up:
Success
Trading up for Harrison Smith – This was a fantastic move that only cost the Vikings a 4th, and allowed them to find a top 5 safety at the end of the 1st round.
The only other trade up I would consider a success would possibly be for Pat Elflein in 2017. While he hasn’t lived up to our expectations, coming away with a starting O-lineman in the 3rd round is not a bad move.
Failure
Trading up for Toby Gerhart – Why?! Just why? I understand the concept of drafting the best player available, but how could the Vikings spend a 2nd and a 3rd to move up for a backup running back?! Peterson was in his prime and there was no need to spend such draft capital on a change of pace back. The thought process on this move was completely backwards.
Trading up for Cordarrelle Patterson – I understand the thought process behind this move very well, and I was lobbying for Patterson to be drafted by the Vikings. In hindsight, he was a very raw player and had a long way to go just to learn how to play WR. Meanwhile, the Patriots moved back and gained 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 7th round picks and drafted a superior player in the 2nd round and another starter in the 3rd. The Vikings could have used those picks to build up the team, instead of use them on a good kick returner.
Not in the article, but the Vikings moved up in the 2018 class for K Daniel Carlson, and he ended up as a bust very quickly.
Summary – The Vikings haven’t moved up for prospects in the draft often, and the Patterson trade highlights the downside of failing at a trade up.
Trading Down:
Success
There’s quite a lot off success stories here. We have the 2012 and 2014 trade downs with Cleveland that had the Vikings gain picks just to slide down a single spot and select the player they wanted.
Moving down in 2010 to grab CB Chris Cook was a success, since it added the 4th rounder that landed Everson Griffen.
In 2014, the Vikings moved down in the late rounds and were able to snag SS Antone Exum and DT Shamar Stephen.
In 2015, the Vikings moved down and selected Danielle Hunter, though they didn’t get anything from the pick they gained from it.
The 2016 trade that turned a 3rd into 2017 3rd and 4ths turned out to be a great move. That move has helped power the 2018-2019 squads and is still impacting the team to this day.
Failure
The only true failure I see in these 8 years was missing out on drafting C Chase Roullier in the 6th round in 2017. It wasn’t a total loss as the Vikings drafted DE Ifeadi Odenigbo with the pick gained from the trade, but a quality starting center is something the Vikings needed and could have seen the Vikings spend their 2019 1st on another position instead of Garrett Bradbury.
I considered putting the 2017 move-down where the Chiefs picked Kareem Hunt as a failure, but Hunt’s off-the-field issues nullified their gains.
Player Trades
Success
Trading Percy Harvin for picks – This move was a perfect storm for the Vikings, moving on from a guy at the end of his prime and who had no interest in playing with the team anymore and receiving a load of picks. Even just a 1st rounder for him would have been a win.
Trading Cassel to Bills for picks – This was basically a throwaway trade. The Vikings were able to turn the 5th rounder into WR Stefon Diggs, who, ironically, the Bills traded a bunch of picks to get in 2020.
Failure
The Randy Moss trade was a failure when he was sent out of town, and a failure on the reacquisition. The Patriots were happy to accept a 3rd rounder for the WR who was no longer in his prime, and still not interested in playing for the Vikings.
The Donovan McNabb trade is a failure simply due to Washington turning HB Alfred Morris into a top 10 HB out of nowhere. Meanwhile, the Vikings received a shell of a Pro Bowl-caliber QB.
The Sam Bradford trade was a stunning move and was clearly advantageous from the start for the Eagles. The Vikings were desperate and had to find a substitute QB, so they felt they had no choice put to overpay. This helped power the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl run and left the Vikings a few pieces short while also contending in that same season.
Trading Up:
Success
Trading up for Harrison Smith – This was a fantastic move that only cost the Vikings a 4th, and allowed them to find a top 5 safety at the end of the 1st round.
The only other trade up I would consider a success would possibly be for Pat Elflein in 2017. While he hasn’t lived up to our expectations, coming away with a starting O-lineman in the 3rd round is not a bad move.
Failure
Trading up for Toby Gerhart – Why?! Just why? I understand the concept of drafting the best player available, but how could the Vikings spend a 2nd and a 3rd to move up for a backup running back?! Peterson was in his prime and there was no need to spend such draft capital on a change of pace back. The thought process on this move was completely backwards.
Trading up for Cordarrelle Patterson – I understand the thought process behind this move very well, and I was lobbying for Patterson to be drafted by the Vikings. In hindsight, he was a very raw player and had a long way to go just to learn how to play WR. Meanwhile, the Patriots moved back and gained 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 7th round picks and drafted a superior player in the 2nd round and another starter in the 3rd. The Vikings could have used those picks to build up the team, instead of use them on a good kick returner.
Not in the article, but the Vikings moved up in the 2018 class for K Daniel Carlson, and he ended up as a bust very quickly.
Summary – The Vikings haven’t moved up for prospects in the draft often, and the Patterson trade highlights the downside of failing at a trade up.
Trading Down:
Success
There’s quite a lot off success stories here. We have the 2012 and 2014 trade downs with Cleveland that had the Vikings gain picks just to slide down a single spot and select the player they wanted.
Moving down in 2010 to grab CB Chris Cook was a success, since it added the 4th rounder that landed Everson Griffen.
In 2014, the Vikings moved down in the late rounds and were able to snag SS Antone Exum and DT Shamar Stephen.
In 2015, the Vikings moved down and selected Danielle Hunter, though they didn’t get anything from the pick they gained from it.
The 2016 trade that turned a 3rd into 2017 3rd and 4ths turned out to be a great move. That move has helped power the 2018-2019 squads and is still impacting the team to this day.
Failure
The only true failure I see in these 8 years was missing out on drafting C Chase Roullier in the 6th round in 2017. It wasn’t a total loss as the Vikings drafted DE Ifeadi Odenigbo with the pick gained from the trade, but a quality starting center is something the Vikings needed and could have seen the Vikings spend their 2019 1st on another position instead of Garrett Bradbury.
I considered putting the 2017 move-down where the Chiefs picked Kareem Hunt as a failure, but Hunt’s off-the-field issues nullified their gains.
Player Trades
Success
Trading Percy Harvin for picks – This move was a perfect storm for the Vikings, moving on from a guy at the end of his prime and who had no interest in playing with the team anymore and receiving a load of picks. Even just a 1st rounder for him would have been a win.
Trading Cassel to Bills for picks – This was basically a throwaway trade. The Vikings were able to turn the 5th rounder into WR Stefon Diggs, who, ironically, the Bills traded a bunch of picks to get in 2020.
Failure
The Randy Moss trade was a failure when he was sent out of town, and a failure on the reacquisition. The Patriots were happy to accept a 3rd rounder for the WR who was no longer in his prime, and still not interested in playing for the Vikings.
The Donovan McNabb trade is a failure simply due to Washington turning HB Alfred Morris into a top 10 HB out of nowhere. Meanwhile, the Vikings received a shell of a Pro Bowl-caliber QB.
The Sam Bradford trade was a stunning move and was clearly advantageous from the start for the Eagles. The Vikings were desperate and had to find a substitute QB, so they felt they had no choice put to overpay. This helped power the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl run and left the Vikings a few pieces short while also contending in that same season.
{Trades That Are Still Alive}
With 8 years of trades compiled, let's go over two categories - trades that are still alive, and what type of trades have the best results for the Vikings.
2012 - Trading up for Harrison Smith
Smith is still with the team, so the trade endures. Both of the players the Ravens got are long gone.
2014 - Trading down for Anthony Barr
Another simple trade, Barr is still with the team, so the trade endures.
2015 - Matt Cassel trade - by extension the Jarrett/Diggs trade
This is where things get complicated, and for me, exciting. Here's a look at the entire haul from the Cassel trade:
That’s right folks – the Matt Cassel trade has led us to a 1st round pick in Justin Jefferson and a whole bunch of draft picks that haven’t even been made yet!
Trading down for Danielle Hunter
Another simple trade, as Hunter remains with the team.
2016 - Dolphins trade up for WR Leonte Carroo
Things get way more complicated here, as the Fins sent the Vikings a 6th and future 3rd and 4ths to take a receiver who quickly flamed out in the NFL. Here's a look at the massive haul resulting from this single trade:
Man, the Dolphins could have a whole lot more talent on their team right now if they just resisted the urge to trade up for a mediocre WR. There isn’t any home run picks on the Vikings’ side, but the sheer number of picks that have branched out from it is insane. With the Isidora trade to the Dolphins, the trade lives on into 2021 and even further.
A trade could conceivably stay alive forever if the team consistently trades the player/draft picks towards the future… so I think it would be fun to revisit this a few years in the future and see what else has branched off these moves.
With 8 years of trades compiled, let's go over two categories - trades that are still alive, and what type of trades have the best results for the Vikings.
2012 - Trading up for Harrison Smith
Smith is still with the team, so the trade endures. Both of the players the Ravens got are long gone.
2014 - Trading down for Anthony Barr
Another simple trade, Barr is still with the team, so the trade endures.
2015 - Matt Cassel trade - by extension the Jarrett/Diggs trade
This is where things get complicated, and for me, exciting. Here's a look at the entire haul from the Cassel trade:
That’s right folks – the Matt Cassel trade has led us to a 1st round pick in Justin Jefferson and a whole bunch of draft picks that haven’t even been made yet!
Trading down for Danielle Hunter
Another simple trade, as Hunter remains with the team.
2016 - Dolphins trade up for WR Leonte Carroo
Things get way more complicated here, as the Fins sent the Vikings a 6th and future 3rd and 4ths to take a receiver who quickly flamed out in the NFL. Here's a look at the massive haul resulting from this single trade:
Man, the Dolphins could have a whole lot more talent on their team right now if they just resisted the urge to trade up for a mediocre WR. There isn’t any home run picks on the Vikings’ side, but the sheer number of picks that have branched out from it is insane. With the Isidora trade to the Dolphins, the trade lives on into 2021 and even further.
A trade could conceivably stay alive forever if the team consistently trades the player/draft picks towards the future… so I think it would be fun to revisit this a few years in the future and see what else has branched off these moves.
{Conclusion}
Point 1: Spielman’s love to trade down may irritate the fans, but the odds favor trading down
If this article has pointed out one thing, it’s that trading down has been a successful endeavor for Spielman and the Vikings. It’s hard to know if the Vikings really are getting “their guy” after moving down, but they’re clearly doing something right, as they’ve traded down for Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffen, Ifeadi Odenigbo, and Jaleel Johnson. I had to cherry-pick just to find any trade-downs that were clear failures. Moving down has also powered up their trades moving up (Dalvin Cook, C. Patterson). It would be nice to see Spielman stop trading out of Day 2 right as the draft ends… but with the way things have played out in the past, I can’t blame him for his addiction to trading down.
Point 2: Trading up and trading for a player are very risky moves
In all five of the “player trades” I mentioned above, the team that acquired draft pick(s) for the player won. Harvin and Moss had their own issues, McNabb and Cassel were no longer NFL caliber QBs, and Sam Bradford’s passable play and poor health made the trade an easy fail. It’s fair to say that drafting players is risky, but acquiring veteran players and expecting them to continue to play at the level they were at with their original team is just as risky, in my humble opinion. Players on rookie deals hold even more value since teams can own them for 4-5 years on cheap salaries, while veterans getting traded typically hold large salaries.
So in this small sample size, it may seem that trading Stefon Diggs to the Bills for picks was a good move. In the long run, getting a 1st, 7th, and after more trades two 4ths and a 5th seems like a big haul. I don’t expect Diggs’ play to fall off for the Bills, though, as he’s only 27 and has mostly left his injury concerns in the past. The Bills seem to be trying to win now and opted to bring in an experienced player rather than develop a rookie, and I think this was a wise move on their part since their roster has very few holes on it, and the Patriots’ run of dominance is in question for the first time in over 20 years. My prediction is that this move ends up as a win-win for both sides.
Leave a comment about what you think about this article!
Point 1: Spielman’s love to trade down may irritate the fans, but the odds favor trading down
If this article has pointed out one thing, it’s that trading down has been a successful endeavor for Spielman and the Vikings. It’s hard to know if the Vikings really are getting “their guy” after moving down, but they’re clearly doing something right, as they’ve traded down for Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffen, Ifeadi Odenigbo, and Jaleel Johnson. I had to cherry-pick just to find any trade-downs that were clear failures. Moving down has also powered up their trades moving up (Dalvin Cook, C. Patterson). It would be nice to see Spielman stop trading out of Day 2 right as the draft ends… but with the way things have played out in the past, I can’t blame him for his addiction to trading down.
Point 2: Trading up and trading for a player are very risky moves
In all five of the “player trades” I mentioned above, the team that acquired draft pick(s) for the player won. Harvin and Moss had their own issues, McNabb and Cassel were no longer NFL caliber QBs, and Sam Bradford’s passable play and poor health made the trade an easy fail. It’s fair to say that drafting players is risky, but acquiring veteran players and expecting them to continue to play at the level they were at with their original team is just as risky, in my humble opinion. Players on rookie deals hold even more value since teams can own them for 4-5 years on cheap salaries, while veterans getting traded typically hold large salaries.
So in this small sample size, it may seem that trading Stefon Diggs to the Bills for picks was a good move. In the long run, getting a 1st, 7th, and after more trades two 4ths and a 5th seems like a big haul. I don’t expect Diggs’ play to fall off for the Bills, though, as he’s only 27 and has mostly left his injury concerns in the past. The Bills seem to be trying to win now and opted to bring in an experienced player rather than develop a rookie, and I think this was a wise move on their part since their roster has very few holes on it, and the Patriots’ run of dominance is in question for the first time in over 20 years. My prediction is that this move ends up as a win-win for both sides.
Leave a comment about what you think about this article!
