RB Trades the Vikings Could Pull Off after the Draft

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.

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).

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

3. Dylan Sampson (CLE)

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.

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.

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.