The Wildest Vikings Trade Theory Yet Has Surfaced

Here’s what Benjamin had in mind:

If Jefferson weren’t so phenomenal, the deal would actually be quite sweet for the Vikings.

Benjamin explained the deal, “This might be the most outlandish of the bunch, if only because Jefferson is as close to untouchable as anyone in the NFL. The Vikings have rightly and swiftly extinguished any and all speculation regarding the wideout’s trade availability in the past, and “Jets” has done the same.”

“But the one place he might be OK moving is Cincinnati, for the chance at reuniting with former LSU stars Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals, meanwhile, have expensive trade chips of their own in Higgins and Hendrickson, the latter of whom has been angling for a pay raise — or move out of town — for years.”

Minnesota would secure a WR1 in Higgins, a CB2 in Newsome II, and two noteworthy draft picks.

Benjamin added, “Can you imagine Burrow’s delight if given the chance to capitalize on a title window with the two best pass catchers in the game? And can you imagine Detroit’s satisfaction if it can pull Hendrickson from the deal, pairing the Pro Bowler with Aidan Hutchinson after trying but failing to trade up for pass rushing help this spring?”

An Impressive Haul

The transaction would certainly set Minnesota up pretty fancily for the future — with Higgins, Newsome II, and two draft picks. Usually when player and pick swaps circulate on the internet, fans feel slighted by the return.

this summer, existing players who might be eligible:

• Brian Asamoah (LB)
• Blake Brandel (G)
• Ty Chandler (RB)

And players, in theory, who Minnesota could target with draft picks as ammunition:

• Jamel Dean (CB, TB)
• Trevon Diggs (CB, DAL)
• Greg Newsome II (CB, CLE)
• Tariq Woolen (CB, SEA)

The Bryce Young — Kyler Murray Swap

Among four wild proposals, including the Jefferson nugget, Benjamin also outlined Bryce Young and a 3rd-Round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for Kyler Murray.

He wrote, “Like the proposed Buccaneers-Jaguars quarterback swap, this comes down to a preference of experience versus upside. This time, we have a long-suffering rebuilder punting on promise for proven results, with Carolina swapping out its former No. 1 overall pick for another former No. 1 with a deeper NFL resume.”

“Murray may still be eyeing a true breakout, but he fits the profile of a Dave Canales project as a gifted but unsteady veteran; Canales, remember, all but got the Panthers job thanks to his revival of both Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. And Arizona?”

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily … More about Dustin Baker