The Minnesota Vikings are on the lookout for some help in the pass-rushing department around star edge rusher, Danielle Hunter. This offseason, the team said goodbye to Za’Darius Smith, who spent one season in Minnesota before being traded to the Cleveland Browns earlier this offseason.
The Vikings were able to snag Marcus Davenport away from the New Orleans Saints in free agency to help fill the void left by Smith. But, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to continue bolstering that group ahead of the regular season.
It will certainly be something that the front office keeps an eye on as cutdown day quickly approaches. But, the Vikings could look to get a little more aggressive and make a trade instead of waiting to see who becomes available.
One player who could pique their interest is Boogie Basham of the Buffalo Bills. He was suggested as a player that the Bills could look to trade ahead of the 2023 season by Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report.
Buffalo is on the opposite side of the spectrum as Minnesota when it comes to edge rushers. While the Vikings need help, the Bills are flush with options on the edge.
Leonard Floyd was signed in free agency after being released by the Los Angeles Rams. Gregory Rousseau is an ascending player along with fellow youngster A.J. Epensa. Veteran Carl Lawson is still on the roster as well. Not to mention, the Bills will eventually get Von Miller back in the fold as he recovers from his ACL tear suffered last season.
Basham, a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Given how crowded the depth chart is, he may not receive the kind of attention and development that he needs to take his game to the next level in Buffalo.
Alas, in Minnesota, he could be afforded that. The Vikings could offer a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick, either a third or fourth-rounder, to Buffalo to see if they would part with the Wake Forest product.
Even if he doesn’t realize his potential as a pass rusher, Basham has already proven to be an excellent edge-setter in the run game. Given the state of their defense, the Vikings are in no position to turn down any talented players.
