Vikings Links:  Let’s Keep Stacking Wins!

This game will be very interesting and I am hoping the Vikings just keep on keeping on and stack another win. I really do not see why they wont unless, and of course, turnovers play a role.

While not looking past this game, I often think about next offseason and the next draft (duh). as is listed below, the Vikings might make some kind of move at the trading deadline. What position do they need help at the most and would it be worth it to trade something?

Upcoming NFL Draft class could prompt Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to make unique move at trade deadline

2025 NFL Draft isn’t very strong at the top

Multiple NFL Draft analysts have said that this year’s class isn’t very top heavy.

This draft class does have solid depth, but the top end players, as Brugler said, are just not as fruitful as in years past. That could mean multiple players who have second and third round grades could end up being selected in the first round. With the Vikings currently projected to pick 31st and will likely finish with a pick in the back end of the first round, what if they use their first round pick to stock up on mid-round selections while acquiring a player to help them in the stretch run?

This wouldn’t be the first time that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah targeted a player with multiple draft picks changing hands. Tight end T.J. Hockenson came with two fourth round picks when the Vikings sent a second and a third round pick. The value at the time equated to a third round pick and it’s paid off in droves for the Vikings.

Who could they target? At this point, it’s not clear especially since the trade deadline is still over a month away. The positions are likely defensive tackle, wide receiver and cornerback. It could be a weapon that the Vikings choose to utilize again this year to help them potentially win the Super Bowl.

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2024 NFL trade deadline: Top candidates to move, team fits

2024 NFL Midseason Trade Block

Defensive Tackle

Jaguars DT Roy Robertson-Harris

Steelers DT DeMarvin Leal

Robertson-Harris remains an under-the-radar trade candidate who could be a key contributor for a playoff team looking for defensive line help (perhaps the 49ers?). The veteran’s contract was restructured this offseason, meaning he currently is playing for the minimum salary and would be much easier for an acquiring team to fit onto its books. The Jaguars have some younger players behind Robertson-Harris, and if they shift into evaluation mode as losses pile up it makes sense to trade him.

Leal is a rotational player in Pittsburgh but his draft status (third round in 2022) could garner him some interest as a trade candidate.

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I am not sure that there is a trade to be had but giving up the first round pick for a player and a 2nd and 3rd or 4th might not be a bad deal.

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Minnesota Vikings News and Links

NFL Expert Picks: Close Game Anticipated with Vikings & Jets in London

Jets 19, Vikings 16 – Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

The Vikings are undefeated, and Sam Darnold is playing at an MVP level. But facing this Jets defense will be a real challenge. The Jets offense was lifeless last week in the loss to Denver, and Aaron Rodgers will face a tough test from Minnesota’s attacking defense. His line had issues last week and will again here. It’s close but low scoring as the Jets take it behind their defense.

Jets 19, Vikings 16 – Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

The Vikings are undefeated, and Sam Darnold is playing at an MVP level. But facing this Jets defense will be a real challenge. The Jets offense was lifeless last week in the loss to Denver, and Aaron Rodgers will face a tough test from Minnesota’s attacking defense. His line had issues last week and will again here. It’s close but low scoring as the Jets take it behind their defense.

Vikings 21, Jets 17 – Staff, Bleacher Report

The Minnesota Vikings are listed as the home team for this matchup, but they’ll go on the road with the New York Jets to London for a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Jets come into this game frustrated with their 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos.

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[Bleacher Report Betting Strategies’ Vince] Michelino sided with Minnesota to remain undefeated and cover.

“We’re finally treated to the Sam Darnold Revenge Game we’ve all been waiting for!” Michelino exclaimed. “OK, maybe it’s lost some luster since it’s being played across the pond, but it’s felt inevitable for quite some time and, oh my, have the tables turned.

“Darnold doesn’t just look like a front-runner for Comeback Player of the Year; he looks like a legitimate MVP candidate through four weeks, leading the Vikings to a perfect 4-0 start (4-0 ATS as well) and leading the league with 11 TD passes,” Michelino said. “The Vikings also rank first in total DVOA, proving they deserve to rank among the best teams in the NFC.

“Meanwhile, vibes couldn’t be worse for the Jets coming off a devastating loss where seemingly everything went wrong,” Michelino added. “The entire offense looked out of whack, and Rodgers took a beating. There’s also already brewing tensions between he and HC Robert Saleh — not great. While Rodgers has had a ton of success against Minnesota dating back to his days in Green Bay, these aren’t your father’s Vikings. Nope. They’re Sam Darnold’s Vikings, and I believe they’re destined to cover again.”

Vikings 20, Jets 17 – Bill Bender, Sporting News

The Vikings know Aaron Rodgers well from his time with the Packers, and they’re a perfect 4-0 ATS this season. Sam Darnold has 11 TDs and three interceptions, and he is up against the second-best pass defense in the NFL (128.0 ypg). Who wins that matchup between Justin Jefferson and Sauce Gardner? Rodgers is coming off his worst game of the season, but New York has a chance to spring the upset here. The Vikings still remain the safe pick as long as Darnold stays hot.

Jets 20, Vikings 17 – Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

The Vikings are sizzling at 4-0 and living off a lot of takeaways to facilitate the efficient play of Sam Darnold. The former Jets QB isn’t seeing ghosts anymore, but across the pond, he will face the fog of a tough Jets defense. Aaron Rodgers will do a better job of protecting himself and the ball against his old NFC North rivals. This also will be a key rebound game for Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and the running game in a defensive-minded escape.

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Jets expect challenging matchup in preparation of facing Vikings in London

After a frustrating loss at home to the Denver Broncos, the Jets could really use a bounce-back game on Sunday. Unfortunately, that won’t be easy against an unbeaten Minnesota Vikings team that head coach Robert Saleh admitted is playing at a high level.

Cornerback Sauce Gardner was also impressed with Darnold, whom he watched extra film on so he could get more familiar with him, but he’ll be mostly focused on a player he’s very familiar with; all-pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Gardner considers Jefferson to be “rightfully” viewed widely as the NFL’s best receiver, but hasn’t faced him since his rookie season when, by his own admission, he was still learning the ropes at that time.

“The game was just so fast for me in general,” he said, but feels confident heading into this matchup because he loves to compete.

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Vikings-Jets Week 5 score predictions from the Vikings On SI staff

Will Ragatz: Vikings 26, Jets 13

I don’t want to count out a Jets team with stars like Rodgers, Quinnen Williams, and Sauce Gardner, but the Vikings are playing far better football so far this season than their counterparts on Sunday. This is the least-challenging matchup Minnesota has had since it romped against the other New York team in Week 1. A lot of that has to do with coaching; I expect Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores to run circles around Robert Saleh and Nathaniel Hackett in this game. Rodgers is dangerous, but the Jets’ offensive line is suspect and their defense won’t have many answers for Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones. The Vikings get a strong day from kicker Will Reichard and win by two scores.

Joe Nelson: Vikings 31, Jets 10

Jonathan Harrison: Vikings 17, Jets 6

Nolan O’Hara: Vikings 19, Jets 16Nolan O’Hara: Vikings 19, Jets 16

Tony Liebert: Jets 24, Vikings 21

The Vikings have allowed the most passing yards per game in the NFL through four weeks at 274.3. I think Aaron Rodgers will be able to get the Jets’ passing attack on track in this game and Minnesota’s cornerbacks will be tested against Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams and Allen Lazard. The hot start ends in London with a New York victory.

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Vikings plan to bring Hockenson back to practice this week in latest step toward return

Coach Kevin O’Connell said Wednesday that Hockenson, who started the season on the physically unable to perform list, would start practicing with the team Friday in London. Hockenson will then have 21 days to continue ramping up before the Vikings (4-0) must add him to the active roster.

“I’ve been pushing to get out there as fast as I can, but I told them at the beginning: ‘I’m kind of a workhorse. Throughout this whole process, I’m going to do everything times two that you’re going to tell me to do, so you’re going to have to put the reins on me and pull me back,’” Hockenson said Wednesday after finishing his individual workout.

Hockenson credited Vice President of Player Health and Performance Tyler Williams and associate head athletic trainer/director of rehabilitation Matt Duhamel and the rest of their staff for harnessing his eagerness without letting him skip steps.

“These guys have done a really good job of not really putting timelines in my head, because that stuff really gets to me,” Hockenson said. “They did a really great job of just being like, ‘Hey, today’s today, and attack that goal and just go after it,’ so that’s what I’ve done throughout this entire process. There’s been hundreds of goals and I’ve tried to hit every single one of them.”

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Yore Mock

Trades

Minnesota Receives:

2025: Round 2, Pick 42

2025: Round 3, Pick 98

Miami Receives:

2025: Round 1, Pick 31

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Minnesota Receives:

2025: Round 2, Pick 47

2025: Round 4, Pick 114

San Francisco Receives:

2025: Round 2, Pick 42

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Minnesota Receives:

2025: Round 4, Pick 106

2025: Round 6, Pick 198

Los Angeles Receives:

2025: Round 3, Pick 97

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47 Omarion Hampton RB North Carolina 6’0” 220

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

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98 Dorian Strong CB Virginia Tech 6’1” 185

Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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106 Jonah Monheim OT USC 6’5” 310

Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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114 Billy Bowman S Oklahoma 5’10” 194

Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images

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148 Jordan Burch DL Oregon 6’6” 295

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

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167 Jay Higgins LB Iowa 6’2” 232

Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images

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198 Jay Toia DL UCLA 6’3” 325

Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images

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239 Kobe Hudson WR UCF 6’1” 200

Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images

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