Roster cut downs are approaching. Each NFL team will have to cut almost a third of their players to reach the 53 man roster limit. The Minnesota Vikings, faced with incredible depth at many positions, have a unique opportunity to minimize their losses through trades. Given the team’s talent, they have more NFL-caliber players than roster spots. Teams with needs at positions where the Vikings are strong may wish to trade for players rather than risk another team claiming them off of waivers. There may be several players the Vikings will look to trade, but below are three of the most notable Vikings on the trading block. Based on age, salary, and production, each player below will be assigned a trade value and potential teams who may have interest.
Minnesota Vikings on the Trading Block
Jarius Wright
Jarius Wright, at 26 years old, is the eldest of the Vikings Wide receivers. A fourth round pick from Arkansas in the 2012 draft, Wright is signed through the end of the 2019 season. His current contract is four years and is worth $14,800,000. That averages out to $3,700,000/year with $2,800,000 fully guaranteed. The closest player comparison in terms of age and contract is 28 year old Dwayne Harris of the Giants. His contract is worth $17,500,000 with $7,100,000 fully guaranteed. Harris is older than Wright, and has more guaranteed money.
Production
The next, and perhaps most important consideration, is production. Wright is a pure slot receiver, dependable on third downs, and while possessing incredible speed, is not a consistent deep threat. In his career, he has caught 124 passes for 1,495 yards and seven touchdowns in 52 games. His best season was in 2014, when he caught 42 balls for 588 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games. Last year he caught 34 passes for 442 yards with no touchdowns and one fumble in 15 games. A small, speedy, slot receiver in his physical prime, Wright is coming off a down year and carries a relatively hefty contract.
Last year, Wright was the Viking’s primary slot reciever, but in camp this year, he has been losing time to the likes of Adam Thielen as the starting slot receiver. Given that, if not traded, Wright is a cut candidate. It is unlikely the Vikings can expect more than a couple day three picks, at the very most, in a trade. Teams looking for a second or third option in the passing game who thrives on third down and running short-to-moderate routes need look no further than Wright.
Options
Teams like the Bills, Cowboys, and Raiders are options for Wright. These are teams who have established number one receivers and good second options, but have some uncertain depth behind them. In a trade with one of those teams, the Vikings may be able to net a fifth round draft pick for the 2017 Draft and a sixth and seventh round pick for 2018 in exchange for Wright.
Rhett Ellison
Next is Rhett Ellison, a fellow member of the 2012 draft class. Ellison, 27, was taken in the fourth round out of USC and has been an integral part of the Vikings offense since being drafted as a blocking tight end and H-Back. He has only accumulated 38 receptions for 458 yards and three touchdowns in his career, but he has been an key blocker in both the passing and running games. He has often been compared by Vikings fans to fellow Viking Jim Kleinsasser: a swiss-army knife for the offense who plays with a blue-collar mentality and can be counted on to do his job, even if his job is not the most flashy.
Ellison is currently playing on a one year deal worth $1,750,000 with $100,000 guaranteed. Unfortunately, Ellison suffered a torn patellar-tendon in the last game of the regular season against the Packers. He is currently on the PUP list, but Head Coach Mike Zimmer has shown optimism that he would be ready for the regular season. Ellision’s second obstacle comes in the form of rookie fifth round pick David Morgan. Morgan, called the best run-blocking tight end in the draft by members of the Viking’s coaching staff, has impressed in camp and the first game of the preseason as both a blocker and a pass-catcher. He plays like a younger, more athletic Ellison.
Expendable
With Morgan’s emergence, the Vikings would need to keep four tight ends in order to keep Ellison on the roster. Instead, it is possible they will trade him to another run-first team with a need for an extra blocker. Ellison has been productive as a blocker in the past. However, given his injury, may be less valuable than he once was. A team like the Chiefs, Broncos, or Panthers may want him as a second or third tight end and H-Back. The Vikings could probably expect either at least a fifth round pick in exchange for Ellison. If he manages play at all in the preseason, his value may rise to a fourth round pick.
Audie Cole
Another member of the 2012 class, former seventh round pick Audie Cole resigned to a one year $840,000 contract with just $40,000 guaranteed. The 27 year old linebacker ended last season on IR after fracturing his ankle in a win over the Rams. In his career, Cole has picked up 51 tackles and a sack in 41 games with just seven starts. Cole became a fan favorite in Minnesota after back-to-back interceptions returned for TDs in a preseason game against the Bills. Cole is a strong special teamer and spot starter, and plays with great effort and passion.
Competition
Unfortunately for Cole, he faces a stiff competition for a spot on the roster. Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Chad Greenway, and Emmanuel Lamur will make the roster. Second year man Edmond Robinson has received a great deal of praise from Coach Zimmer throughout camp. He looks to make the roster for the second year in a row. Additionally, fifth round pick Kentrell Brothers was an ultra-productive player on both defense and special teams at Missouri. Barring injury, Cole appears to be on the outside looking in for a spot on the Vikings roster. Teams looking for depth at linebacker may look at Cole, especially teams who play a 4-3 Defense.
Options
Cole can play every linebacker position for a 4-3. A team like Dallas, Atlanta, or Miami with questions on defense may look at Cole as a strong backup and potential starter. In a trade, the Vikings should look to receive a fifth or sixth round pick. From a team like the Cowboys, who are very strong on the offensive line, the Vikings should look to trade Cole and a third or fourth round pick for a player like Ronald Leary to strengthen the Offensive Line.
Whether or not the Vikings make any trades this preseason, the organization will be forced to let go of many talented players this year. This is undoubtedly the worst part of having one of the deepest rosters in the NFL. Look for many of the players cut by the Vikings to contribute on other teams; as Michael Mauti has for the Saints, Kurt Coleman for the Panthers, and Brian Peters for the Texans.
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