The NFL’s trade deadline is approaching on November 10th. With the Minnesota Vikings leading the league at 6–0 and eyes turning towards a potential championship run, Jonathan Pye takes a look at the trade targets who could strengthen their case.
Heading into week 8 the Minnesota Vikings are the only undefeated team left in the NFL with a 6–0 start, largely thanks to the superb defense, an All-Pro kicker and an All-Pro returner.
Much has been left to be desired by the ever-putrid Kevin O’Connell offense, and with J. J. McCarthy starting his tenure with Giants on fire questions and answers must be found.
If the Vikings are truly all-in on this year, then they have to go all-in on the trade market. There are four big positions the team needs to strengthen at; here are some potential candidates to fill these holes:
G Landon Dickerson (Philadelphia Eagles)
The Minnesota Vikings need some offensive line help. After the season-ending injury to Donovan Jackson, a flexible guard is a significant need. Joe Huber hasn’t looked out of place, but more of a concern is the awful start to the season that $90 million man Will Fries has had.
One name to look out for to fill that role would be Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson. At 28 and with two more years left on his contract after this season, he would be able to solidify the offensive line, as he has done as part of a Philadelphia line considered one of the best in the league.
Dickerson is a three-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion in 2024. The Eagles are on a down year and who’s to say Howie Roseman wouldn’t be in favour of getting more expensive talent off the roster to gain more capital for next year’s draft? Look for a day-three pick here, should any trade happen.
RB Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts)
Aaron Jones is banged up and has been a constant on the injury report. He carried the load of the Vikings offense through the four weeks that Jordan Mason was on IR.
A star running back could kick the Vikings offense to a new level. While Jordan Mason is good, he isn’t a star. If the Vikings are all-in, a move for an elite runner to inch more out of the offense would be a wise move.
A prime candidate is 27-year-old Jonathan Taylor from the Colts, who has twice led the league in rushing touchdowns (2021, 2025), once in rushing yards (2021) and was also a first-team All-Pro in that same year.
The Colts have no first-round pick in the 2027 draft as that was spent on Sauce Gardner. They’ll be trying to drive up interest to get as much capital as possible should they trade Taylor.
Another cheaper option would be someone like Tony Pollard from the Tennessee Titans, who are 1–6 heading into week and dealt defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears this week.
EDGE Khalil Mack (Los Angeles Chargers)
Edge rusher is a position of strength for the Vikings, but still questions remain about the ability of the two guys at the top of the depth chart to win without the scheme doing its bit.
Dallas Turner is a stud but the feeling is he still isn’t winning like Greenard was the previous two years. A trade to improve what is already one of the Vikings’ great strengths should be on the cards.
Someone like Khalil Mack from the Chargers should be on the radar. Although he is in his mid-30s and has a lot of miles on the clock, the production is still there. The Chargers are still winless and at 36, he hasn’t got long left to chase a championship. A late-round pick you’d have to think would be enough to woo the former Bear back to the NFC North.
S Cam Bynum (Indianapolis Colts)
Safety is the big weakness on the Vikings defense. If there’s a big play given up, either Theo Jackson or Josh Metellus is usually at the scene of the crime giving up monster big gains. Harrison Smith made the 40th interception of his career against the Colts, but is barely seeing 50% of the snaps that the defense is taking.
What about a return for someone who knows the team and the scheme well like Camryn Bynum from the Colts? As previously mentioned, they are a team in need of draft capital and Bynum potentially could be up for grabs for a day three pick.
Amani Hooker from the Titans is another option; he was born, raised and lived the majority of his life in the Minneapolis area, so a return to play for his hometown team could be appealing.
Hooker has been a very solid player in the league for the Titans and would add extra depth to make sure the likes of Metellus and Jackson see less time on the field. This will be vital should the Vikings have any ambition in the postseason.
Are there any potential trade targets you think the Vikings should be looking at ahead of next Tuesday’s deadline? Let us know via email at UKVikingsFanClub@gmail.com or drop us a DM on any of our social media channels.