The Minnesota Vikings are in an intriguing position now just weeks away from the NFL trade deadline. No one expected the Vikings (5-0) to be atop the NFC standings through the first six weeks of the season, but that’s where they stand.
With no discernible weaknesses, outside of offensive line and secondary depth, the Vikings could realistically approach the Nov. 5 deadline looking to add one big piece to help fuel a Super Bowl run.
Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon recently listed “five absurd trade ideas” for NFL teams to explore, and he suggested a player for the Vikings that actually isn’t all that illogical.
Kenyon urged Minnesota to explore a trade with the slumping Cleveland Browns (1-5) for superstar wide receiver Amari Cooper. Here was his reasoning on the hypothetical blockbuster:
Considering how badly the Cleveland Browns have played so far in 2024, Amari Cooper is very much a candidate to be dealt in October. What if he left an immense disappointment for a breakout team? To the surprise of everyone, the Minnesota Vikings are 5-0 behind a resurgent Sam Darnold. The safest path is sticking with the existing roster and seeing how long it can overachieve. The receiving corps is a little thin, but Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor are quality complements to superstar Justin Jefferson.
Minnesota doesn't need Cooper and is extremely thin on 2025 draft capital. So, again: not happening. It'd be nice to have Cooper, nevertheless, and the NFC is underwhelming this season. Hey, perhaps a franchise that has never won a Super Bowl would consider attacking an unexpected window of contention. Given the void years and dead money left on Cooper's deal, a 2025 fifth-rounder and 2026 fourth-rounder is a logical price. If only!
It’s true, the Vikings gave up a ton to draft quarterback J.J. McCarthy and pass rusher Dallas Turner. The fact the team is thriving with McCarthy on injured reserve and Turner playing a small role on defense is remarkable in itself.
Wide receiver is far down the list of needs for Minnesota, but the Cooper hypothetical is still a fun discussion. Even at 30 years old, he's one of the best boundary receivers in the NFL. He’s a route-running tactician with brilliant hands and footwork along the sideline. After years of awful quarterback play in Cleveland, he would welcome Sam Darnold, Kevin O’Connell and the Twin Cities with open arms.
Cooper and the Browns agreed to a contract restructure this offseason, fully guaranteeing his $20 million salary for 2024 while paying out half of the amount up front. With Cooper set to become a free agent, that makes it tougher for the Browns to justify trading their star receiver, even with their season skidding off the rails.
But if it does get to that point by Nov. 5, Cooper would be a major bargain for a team willing to give up whatever draft assets the Browns would be coveting. Considering what Cleveland gave up to acquire Cooper from the Dallas Cowboys in 2022 — a Day 3 draft pick and a swap of sixth rounders — the Amari sweepstakes should continue to heat up over the next few weeks.
The Vikings are an unlikely suitor for Cooper, but the price could be right for any contending team to explore a deal.
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