The Minnesota Vikings have done some shuffling of their roster this offseason, saying goodbye to a few long-tenured players. Wide receiver Adam Thielen and linebacker Eric Kendricks after spending nine and eight seasons with the franchise, respectively.
Minnesota may not be done parting ways with franchise icons, as running back Dalvin Cook could also be on the move ahead of or during the 2023 NFL Draft. The Vikings are looking to clean up their salary cap, but are also looking for some new franchise faces.
One is certainly star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who may already be the best player in the NFL at his position. He has developed a nice rapport with quarterback Kirk Cousins, but the team has to start planning for life after Cousins as well.
Entering the final year of his contract and going on 35 years old, the Vikings are going to be on the search for a long-term replacement. If the draft shakes out in their favor next week, they could land one.
Another option is going the trade route. One player who would fit the bill for Minnesota is Trey Lance of the San Francisco 49ers. Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, is entering Year 3 but has already been surpassed on the depth chart.
49ers general manager John Lynch has already said that Brock Purdy is the leader in the clubhouse for the starting quarterback position. That could make Lance expendable and provide San Francisco a chance to recoup some draft capital.
What could a trade between the Vikings and the 49ers look like? A suggested trade package is Minnesota receiving Lance and the No. 216 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft with the No. 23 overall pick and quarterback Nick Mullens heading to San Francisco.
That’s a far cry from the price that the 49ers paid to trade up and select Lance, as they surrendered three first-round picks. But, given the unknown surrounding him still and his lack of production in two seasons, this is probably as good as San Francisco will do.
The Vikings are essentially punting on this year’s draft, as they wouldn’t have a pick in the first or second round without doing another swap, which was mentioned at ESPN. But, they would address their biggest need, which is a potential starting quarterback to eventually replace Cousins when his contract expires.
Lance would step into the backup role for 2023 and be ready to assume the role as a starter in 2024. He has a lot of potential, which Kevin O’Connell and his staff will look to develop heading into the future.
