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RB Trades the Vikings Could Pull Off after the Draft

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Dolphins RB Jaylen Wright against the Bills in 2025
Nov 9, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (5) during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.

Most Minnesota Vikings fans hope the franchise drafts a running back somewhat early in the draft; the franchise is long overdue. But what if they don’t? Or what if they don’t pick one until Round 7, in which case the selection is a fool’s errand? The club might turn to trade options.

Minnesota may need a backup plan if the draft board breaks poorly.

Believe it or not, a handful of young running backs might be gettable via trade.

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Several Young Backs Could Enter the Trade Conversation

Ranked in ascending order, these are the most likely running back trade targets for the Vikings if they strike out in the draft (No. 1 = most realistic option).

Braelon Allen warms up before a game against the Bills at MetLife Stadium. vikings rb trade targets
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen takes the field during pregame warmups at MetLife Stadium, moving through early routines as teammates prepare for kickoff, with the scene unfolding on Sep 14, 2025 in East Rutherford. The rookie back readies for action against the Buffalo Bills as New York opens another AFC East matchup. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.

9. Braelon Allen (NYJ)

Breece Hall was slated to become a free agent this offseason, and because the Jets seemed hellbent on starting over — trading Sauce Gardner was the evidence — many expected Hall to depart. Then, that didn’t happen.

The decision keeps Allen squarely in an RB2 role. If the Vikings dangled a draft pick in front of New York, they might be able to capture the Wisconsin alumnus and feature him more prominently than New York.

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8. Jonathon Brooks (CAR)

Injuries have utterly ravaged Brooks’s career, tripping him up to the point that he has never taken an NFL snap, despite a lofty forecast heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Panthers have Chuba Hubbard employed as the RB1, along with Trevor Etienne, who was a 4th-Rounder last year. Brooks won’t cost much via trade, and his upside, if healthy, is through the roof.

7. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS)

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The Commanders could draft Jeremiyah Love next week and totally place Croskey-Merritt on the back burner. Washington also has Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in the house at running back. Drafting Love would create a crowded house, perhaps making Croskey-Merritt expendable.

The rookie from last year showed some glimpses of brilliance; he’d need a new home if Washington invests in Love.

6. Ollie Gordon (MIA)

The Vikings’ new assistant head coach is a man named Frank Smith, and we worked with Gordon last year in Miami where Smith served as the offensive coordinator.

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De’Von Achane apparently isn’t for sale, but Gordon might be. He posted 4 touchdowns last year on 77 touches.

5. Tyjae Spears (TEN)

Scroll up to the Croskey-Merritt spot and recall the Jeremiyah Love angle.

The Titans could draft Love at Pick No. 4 on Thursday, creating a backfield of Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, and Jeremiyah Love. Per touches, Spears would be the odd man out if Tennessee opted to keep Pollard’s veteran presence.

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Sending Spears to Minnesota for a 6th-Rounder could work.

4. Trey Benson (ARI)

Speaking of crowded running back rooms, the Cardinals now have Tyler Allgeier, James Conner, and Benson, whose career has been rattled by injuries, like the aforementioned Brooks, who came from the same draft, believe it or not.

In Year No. 3, Benson is on tap to face a reduced workload with more cooks in the kitchen. The Cardinals wouldn’t re-up with Conner and sign Allgeier if they were in love with Benson. He could be available via trade.

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3. Dylan Sampson (CLE)

Geno Stone tackles Dylan Sampson during a game at Paycor Stadium. vikings rb trade targets
Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone brings down Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson after a reception during first-quarter action at Paycor Stadium, with the play occurring on Jan 4, 2026 in Cincinnati. The defensive stop halts forward momentum as both teams battle for early control in a divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images.

Cleveland drafted two tailbacks last year, Sampson from Tennessee and Quinshon Judkins from Ohio State. As expected, Judkins took the RB1 baton before a season-ending injury. Judkins very much looked the part of a steady RB1. In theory, if the Browns drafted another running back next week, the Vikings could call about Sampson’s price tag.

2. Kaleb Johnson (PIT)

Pittsburgh spent a 3rd-Rounder on Johnson last April, and he later played 51 snaps on offense, which was just bizarre for a team that didn’t have an elite RB1 ahead of him on the depth chart. Outwardly, Johnson is trending as a draft bust, but maybe he just needs snaps.

The Steelers, in the meantime, have Jaylen Warren back as the RB1 and also signed Rico Dowdle from the Carolina Panthers in March. Johnson is the clear-cut RB3 in Pittsburgh. He’d have a more advantageous outlook elsewhere if traded.

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1. Jaylen Wright (MIA)

Note the Frank Smith connection above; this guy is the Dolphins’ RB2 at the moment. Ollie Gordon could take his spot this summer, and Wright would be buried as the RB3 or need a new employer.

Jaylen Wright runs the ball during a game against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. vikings rb trade targets
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright carries the ball through traffic during second-quarter play against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, with the moment unfolding on Jan 4, 2026 in Foxborough. Wright navigates the defense as Miami looks to sustain drives in a late-season AFC East contest on the road. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images.

Wright has 4.38 speed. He’s tallied about 600 yards from scrimmage in two seasons. The guy needs more touches. There’s a decent chance the Vikings could allow it if they swing and miss on a running back in the draft.

Wright turned 23 two weeks ago.


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Royals manager Matt Quatraro ejected before team throws a pitch vs Yankees

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It was a short day at the office for Matt Quatraro on Saturday.

The Kansas City Royals manager got ejected in the first inning of their game against the New York Yankees before his team even threw a pitch.

Kansas City wasted a leadoff double in the top half of the first, perhaps angering Quatraro. But in between innings, he had some words with a pair of umpires.

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Manager Matt Quatraro arguing with umpire Nestor Ceja at Yankee Stadium

Manager Matt Quatraro of the Kansas City Royals argues with umpire Nestor Ceja after being ejected during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York City on April 18, 2026. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The speculation is that Quatraro was arguing that a balk should have been called on Yankees starter Will Warren for throwing to second base without coming to a stop.

For what it’s worth, nobody was even thrown out on Warren’s throw over. So the argument and ejection was all for naught.

And this all happened before Royals starter Noah Cameron even threw a pitch.

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Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro arguing with umpires at Yankee Stadium

Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro argues with first base umpire Chris Guccione and second base umpire Nestor Ceja after being ejected during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, on April 18, 2026. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

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Thankfully for Quatraro, he did not have to watch his team in person on Saturday, as they were down 10-0 in the sixth inning.

The ejection came on the heels of a tough loss for Kansas City on Friday, as they allowed a two-run home run to Ryan McMahon in the bottom of the eighth inning to lose, 4-2.

Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro looking at scoreboard at Yankee Stadium

Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro looks at the scoreboard before the MLB game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York, on April 17. (Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire)

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The Royals are trying to bounce back into the postseason after missing it last year, but in all likelihood, they will be off to an unideal 7-14 start by the day’s end.

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Mike McCarthy addresses biggest roster hole with much-needed weapon for Aaron Rodgers

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into a draft with double the number of typical picks. Armed with a dozen selections, the Steelers could see another sea of additions in a cumulative change as big as losing Mike Tomlin. The franchise will need all of the help it can get.

According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in an Apr. 17 report, wide receiver will be the biggest area of need at the top of the draft, making it clear that the franchise will operate as if Aaron Rodgers is returning. Running with that, Sportskeeda’s mock draft simulator has filled in the gaps.

Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft for seven rounds

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Steelers mock draft - (Image via Sportskeeda)Steelers mock draft - (Image via Sportskeeda)
Steelers mock draft – (Image via Sportskeeda)

Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

#1 – Round 1, Pick 21: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Oregon v Washington - Source: GettyOregon v Washington - Source: Getty
Oregon v Washington – Source: Getty

First up, the Steelers select Denzel Boston, who has seen his stock ascend in recent weeks. Boston earned at least 800 yards in each of his last two seasons and earned 20 touchdowns over the same span.

#2 – Round 2, Pick 53: Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech v Syracuse - Source: GettyGeorgia Tech v Syracuse - Source: Getty
Georgia Tech v Syracuse – Source: Getty

Aaron Rodgers didn’t get through the season intact, so protecting an even older version of the quarterback should be a top priority. Insert Keylan Rutledge, who will need to learn quickly.

#3 – Round 3, Pick 76: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

Arizona v Cincinnati - Source: GettyArizona v Cincinnati - Source: Getty
Arizona v Cincinnati – Source: Getty

Of course, the Steelers are historically a defensive-minded organization, so Jake Golday was not going to slide past Pittsburgh. Golday earned 105 tackles in 2025, doubling his production from 2024.

#4 – Round 3, Pick 85: Bud Clark, S, TCU

TCU at Kansas - Source: GettyTCU at Kansas - Source: Getty
TCU at Kansas – Source: Getty

Bud Clark enters as one of the most experienced players in the draft with a college career dating back to 2020. Clark should have a great shot at starting in Week 1.

#5 – Round 3, Pick 99: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State

Northwestern v Penn State - Source: GettyNorthwestern v Penn State - Source: Getty
Northwestern v Penn State – Source: Getty

Dani Dennis-Sutton earned 8.5 sacks in each of his last two seasons and will now get to learn from T.J. Watt. He will also build on the 25 tackles for loss accrued over his final two seasons in college.

#6 – Round 4, Pick 121: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

Navy at Notre Dame - Source: GettyNavy at Notre Dame - Source: Getty
Navy at Notre Dame – Source: Getty

Malachi Fields will help Aaron Rodgers connect deep with a conference-leading 17.5 yards per reception in 2025. If Denzel Boston starts slowly, Fields could be the first one to pop of the two.

#7 – Round 4, Pick 135: Rene Konga, DT, Louisville

Louisville at Pitt - Source: GettyLouisville at Pitt - Source: Getty
Louisville at Pitt – Source: Getty

The Pittsburgh Steelers bolster the defensive line with Rene Konga. Konga saw a career high in combined tackles and tackles for loss in 2025, suggesting he could be entering a new level.

#8 – Round 5, Pick 161: Carson Beck, QB, Miami

Miami v Indiana - Source: GettyMiami v Indiana - Source: Getty
Miami v Indiana – Source: Getty

After a long wait, Carson Beck heads to Pittsburgh. Beck, who faced Fernando Mendoza in the college football championship, slides in late enough to not be an issue for Aaron Rodgers, but it does put Mason Rudolph on notice.

Read More: Pittsburgh Steelers Owner

Read More: Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart 2026-27

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#9 – Round 6, Pick 216: Fernando Carmona Jr., OG, Arkansas

San Jose State at USC - Source: GettySan Jose State at USC - Source: Getty
San Jose State at USC – Source: Getty

At this point in the draft, the Steelers double-up on players to add a higher chance of fixing the position group if the top player struggles, starting with Fernando Carmona Jr., who will be insurance for Keylan Rutledge.

#10 – Round 7, Pick 224: Devan Boykin, S, Arkansas

College Football Playoff National Championship: Miami v Indiana - Source: GettyCollege Football Playoff National Championship: Miami v Indiana - Source: Getty
College Football Playoff National Championship: Miami v Indiana – Source: Getty

Devan Boykin arrives with playoff experience in the national championship, which should help the Pittsburgh Steelers. He will help ensure that safety is fixed going forward.

#11 – Round 7, Pick 230: Eric Gentry, LB, USC

Iowa v USC - Source: GettyIowa v USC - Source: Getty
Iowa v USC – Source: Getty

The Pittsburgh Steelers receive an insurance pick with Eric Gentry, who had 76 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks.

#12 – Round 7, Pick 237: Caden Curry, Edge, Ohio State

Miami vs Ohio State - Source: GettyMiami vs Ohio State - Source: Getty
Miami vs Ohio State – Source: Getty

Caden Curry bolsters the Pittsburgh Steelers pass rush with a great chance to see regular snaps after an explosive 2025 season with 11 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss.