On November 4th, the NFL will arrive at the league’s trade deadline. Who are the Vikings’ top 3 trade candidates? […]

On November 4th, the NFL will arrive at the league’s trade deadline. Who are the Vikings’ top 3 trade candidates?

Mr. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah isn’t a shy guy. He seems content to operate behind the scenes, seldom doing pressers during the season. But while he may not naturally move into the spotlight, Adofo-Mensah nevertheless knows how to generate a headline (as his 34 trades demonstrate). To that end, consider three players — all of whom are good players who could realistically generate interest — who could get shipped out.

The Vikings’ Top 3 Trade Candidates (Bold Edition)

1) Ivan Pace Jr., Linebacker

At 24 and capable of bringing down the passer, Ivan Pace Jr. has a lot to offer.

The issue in Minnesota is that Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson are now the top pair (as previously discussed on PurplePTSD). Leaning on the versatile veterans allows for maximum creativity and chaos for Brian Flores, vital ingredients to his defense that feeds into being aggressive.

Pace doesn’t do particularly well in pass coverage. Even worse, Pace’s run defense has taken a step back with quite a few missed tackles. So, at least some reason to consider a swap, especially since we’re considering a ‘backer who is in the final year of his contract before becoming an RFA.

A sneaky team to monitor: the Carolina Panthers. Recent years have featured this team making an effort to bring in former Vikings — most notably, WR Adam Thielen — with some of these players being pass rushers — most notably, D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones. Other former Vikings such as Akayleb Evans and Dan Chisena are currently employed in Carolina, too.

In Ivan Pace, the Panthers could have a puzzle piece for the defense to keep building around.

2) T.J. Hockenson, Tight End

Would Seattle — a team led by former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold — have interest in an upgrade at tight end? What about the AFC Super Bowl contenders such as the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs, a pair of teams that may prove capable of coaxing explosiveness out of the TE1?

The well-paid TE1 has been good. The issue with being good is that he’s being paid top dollar; is Minnesota paying him to be great? As things stand, T.J. Hockenson doesn’t score touchdowns and doesn’t generate explosive gains (much to his chagrin). Even worse, he isn’t someone who blocks particularly well — he’s improving but there are still rough moments — and his first down conversions are down.

So, there’s a bit of an issue for the Vikings to consider.

Whichever team acquires him — were a team to step up with an attractive offer, that is — would be getting someone who could help for 2025, 2026, and 2027. He is 28 and was the No. 8 selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. In the right situation, T.J. Hockenson could be a menace in the passing game. Not prime Travis Kelce or George Kittle, but a very good football player.

3) Javon Hargrave, Defensive Tackle

Truth be told, I hadn’t been thinking about Gravedigger — best nickname on the team — until I read the piece from Janik Eckardt.

Consider where the playing time has been trending: “All of that sounds good, but there’s one caveat: the run defense. The veteran just can’t hold up against double teams. That’s reflected in an abysmal PFF run defense grade, but perhaps even more important, he’s slowly getting benched for teammate Jalen Redmond.”

And more: “Consider this: In the last two games, Hargrave played 33 and 18 defensive snaps. Redmond registered 41 and 37. In the weeks prior, they basically shared the position, but the trend is clearly on Redmond’s side. What else is on Redmond’s side? Well, the former XFL star is evolving into a star. He’s pretty much living in the backfield on running and passing downs.”

Paying plenty for someone who has declining playing time is a situation that needs to be addressed. One way of doing so is via trade.

Javon Hargrave has had a long, successful career. The defensive lineman has been employed as a Steeler, Eagle, and 49er. All of these teams are in the playoff hunt; any chance one would re-welcome the pass rusher? Doing so would involve grafting a penetrating DT into the middle of the d-line while continuing to pursue a Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, Minnesota could move ahead with a DT rotation consisting of Jonathan Allen, Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Elijah Williams, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. Tyler Batty, a rookie edge rusher, has the size to help as a 3T/5T.

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