Purple Rumor Mill: Trading for TE, Greg Newsome II, Jeff Okudah Reclamation

Oct 15, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) celebrates a first down with running back Ameer Abdullah (22) against the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports With the 2025 NFL Draft in the past, Minnesota Vikings-themed rumors have taken on a new form — mostly pertaining to players who could join the team this spring or summer. Vikings Rumors: Trading for TE, Greg Newsome II, Jeff Okudah Reclamation The club can still add players via free agency or trade, and folks should reasonably expect a few newcomers in the coming months. Minnesota Vikings fan Brian Foss shows his team-logo prosthetic eye during the Super Fan Summit Tailgate Party on April 25, 2025, in Ashwaubenon, Wis. © Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images. So, regarding those possibilities, this is the purple rumor mill for May 4th. Rumor: The Vikings should trade for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer. Bleacher Report‘s Mike Chiari wrote earlier in the offseason: “Interested teams have reached out to the Raiders about Mayer, and they have engaged in discussions. Following a strong collegiate career at Notre Dame during which he recorded 180 receptions for 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns over three seasons, Mayer went 35th overall to the Raiders in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.” “Mayer didn’t make a sizable impact as a rookie, registering 27 receptions for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Despite his limited production, it was somewhat surprising when the Raiders made another significant investment in a tight end by taking Bowers with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.” Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer (87) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Southern California Trojans with wide receiver Braden Lenzy (0) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports The Vikings’ tight end room features T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, and rookie Gavin Bartholomew at the moment, along with some undrafted free agents. Trading for Mayer would seriously upgrade the TE2 or TE3 spot and possibly plan for life after Oliver, whose contract expires after the 2025 campaign. Chiari added, “That decision turned out to be a great one by the Vegas front office, as Bowers enjoyed one of the greatest rookie seasons by a tight end in NFL history. Bowers finished with 112 catches for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns, earning him Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors. He also finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind only Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.” “Given that he is still just 23 years of age and under contract at a low cap number for the next two seasons, it makes sense why teams are targeting Mayer as a buy-low candidate.” Minnesota shipping a 5th-Rounder or so to Las Vegas for Mayer would make a lot of sense. We fully endorsed the idea here. It’s just too irresistible if Mayer is indeed for sale. Rumor: Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II is a realistic trade target for Minnesota. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used to work for the Browns. Greg Newsome II could be on the trade block. It’s a match. Bleacher Report’s Doric Sam wrote last month, “The Cleveland Browns reportedly are willing to ship away a pair of defensive standouts in hopes of adding draft capital. Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported that Browns cornerback Greg Newsome and defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo are ‘believed to be available via trade’ entering Thursday night’s NFL draft. Both players are entering the final years of their contracts.” “The Browns selected Newsome with the No. 26 pick in the 2021 NFL draft and exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal last offseason. Unfortunately, he’s coming off a lackluster 2024 campaign in which he missed the last four games of the season with a hamstring injury and produced a career low of 27 tackles and five passes defended with one interception.” Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) takes the field to play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images. The Browns ultimately did not draft Travis Hunter, but Newsome II could still be on he trade block. Sam added, “Newsome could be expendable if the Browns use the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft to select Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner excels both as a wide receiver and cornerback, making him one of the most unique prospects ever to enter the NFL. B/R’s NFL Scouting Department predicted in its final mock draft that Hunter lands in Cleveland.” With Adofo-Mensah working for the Browns before he took the big job in Minnesota, swinging a trade for Newsome II — or any Browns player — is not far-fetched. Rumor: The Vikings believe Jeff Okudah is as talented as any rookie. Minnesota views new cornerback Jeff Okudah as promising as any rookie from its recent class. “Okudah is somebody we signed in free agency that we’re excited about. He’s as talented as anyone who got drafted last Thursday or Friday,” Adofo-Mensah told KFAN’s Paul Allen this week. Dec 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jeff Okudah (1) during the 2019 Fiesta Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the Clemson Tigers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images. Some might view Okudah as a longshot to contribute or make the regular season roster, but Adofo-Mensah’s comments suggest otherwise. He’s likely to make the gameday roster and might even play significantly.