4 Vikings Trades We’d Like to See This Summer

The Minnesota Vikings probably shouldn’t trade too many of their draft picks from the next class — the 2027 rookies are supposed to be fantastic — but there’s always room to consider a deal or two. These are the swaps we’d recommend this summer.

Minnesota has a few roster spots worth monitoring, especially at EDGE, center, safety, and running back.

It’s also encouraging that Minnesota doesn’t have many whopping roster deficiencies. Still, we’d consider the following options.

A Few Sensible Trade Ideas Remain before Vikings Camp in July

Listed in no particular order, here’s the summer 2026 trade docket from VikingsTerritory.

1. 7th-Round Pick to ATL for Bralen Trice (OLB)

The Atlanta Falcons selected Trice in Round 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. To date, his career has been ravaged by injuries, so much so that he hasn’t played in a regular season game. He’s pitched a shutout — and not in a good way.

Naturally, the Falcons’ brass has proceeded in the last two offseasons as if Brice will never play. They’ve constructed EDGE depth as if he doesn’t exist, perhaps making him expendable.

The Vikings, meanwhile, don’t need a starting outside linebacker. They have Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner ready for duty. But trading a late-round pick for Trice — or signing him late August if he gets cut — might check some boxes.

Because of injuries, there’s no way to know if Trice is sitting on untapped potential. It’s worth a 7th-Rounder to find out.

2. Theo Jackson (S) to WAS for a 6th-Round Pick

Minnesota employs these safeties as of May 23rd:

• Josh Metellus
• Jay Ward
• Theo Jackson
• Jakobe Thomas
• Tavierre Thomas
• Kahlef Hailassie

This group will contain seven men if Harrison Smith returns for one more ride. And in 2025, the Vikings benched Jackson down the stretch in favor of Ward.

Ward could be a starting safety when Week 1 rolls around.

Therefore, Minnesota should trade Jackson to Washington if it knows he may be a release candidate in August. Why the Commanders? Washington hired Daronte Jones as its new defensive coordinator, and he worked as the Vikings’ defensive passing game coordinator. Jones knows Jackson. The Commanders could use a little bit of safety depth, especially someone Jones knows — like Jackson.

3. 6th-Round Pick to DAL for Matt Hennessy (C)

Hennessy was a 3rd-Round pick in 2020, and he has this Pro Football Focus resume:

2025: 71.8 PFF Grade | 175 Snaps
2024: 61.7 PFF Grade | 16 Snaps
2022: 75.4 PFF Grade | 157 Snaps
2021: 76.5 PFF Grade | 988 Snaps
2020: 47.0 PFF Grade | 225 Snaps

He’s 28 and has not been given a fair shake at center in five years — when he played wonderfully. Hennessy also won’t start this year in Dallas because the Cowboys have Cooper Beebe lined up for the job.

For a team that needs a center, Hennessy is worth a 6th- or 7th-Rounder. He may be more efficient than Blake Brandel.

4. 5th-Round Pick to ARI for Trey Benson (RB)

Do the Vikings have a full running back room? Yes. Should they take a flyer on Benson? Also yes.

Benson’s career has not taken off, as injuries have prevented his ascent. Now, he’s buried in Arizona, a part of this RB depth chart:

• Jeremiyah Love
• Tyler Allgeier
• James Conner
• Trey Benson
• Bam Knight
• Corey Kiner

It’s the Love-Allgeier-Conner show in the desert.

SI.com‘s Donnie Druin on Benson’s trade availability: “Benson is probably the most obvious trade candidate on the Cardinals after what transpired the last few months. Dealing with injuries and just simple inconsistent play, the Florida State product saw James Conner’s contract restructured and Tyler Allgeier signed in free agency before Arizona spent the third overall pick on Jeremiyah Love.”

“Now, Benson is RB4 on the depth chart and could be fighting for a roster spot with fellow running back Bam Knight, who has more special teams prowess than Benson. Of course injuries could change this dynamic, though the former Day 2 pick could be available for pennies on the dollar if the Cardinals were interested in getting something from Benson rather than cutting him.”

Like Trice at the top of the list, there’s also a chance that Benson gets released in a few months. The Vikings — and many teams — should give Benson a look.

He’s 23. Once upon a time, he was forecasted as a trustworthy RB1 prospect, especially in the dynasty fantasy football community.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker