With a 2-4 record, the Minnesota Vikings are fighting to remain in playoff contention even in the first half of the season. Their only wins are over two of the most hapless teams in the NFL, the Carolina Panthers and rival Chicago Bears. Minnesota may be a step up from both organizations this season, but they are starting to look like one of the big sellers at the upcoming NFL trade deadline on Oct. 31.
The trade rumor vultures have been circling around Kirk Cousins' name, but it's unlikely he'll be moved, considering he has a no-trade clause. Cousins, though, is far from the only player being mentioned as a possible trade candidate.
According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Vikings have received trade interest in Danielle Hunter, Harrison Smith, and K.J. Osborn. Further, they will reportedly continue to listen to proposals for these three stars.
So let's take a look at three teams that could be interested in any one -- or all -- of these key Vikings ahead of the trade deadline.
3. Kansas City Chiefs should trade for Vikings WR K.J. Osborn
After taking down the rival Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football, the Kansas City Chiefs are 5-1, tied with the Miami Dolphins for the best record in the AFC. The defending champions, the Chiefs are favorites to repeat until proven otherwise, though their 2023 opponents, the Philadelphia Eagles, are certainly hot on their heels.
Therefore, the Chiefs may want to be proactive. As we saw last season with the acquisition of Kadarius Toney from the New York Giants, Kansas City is willing to shake things up. Toney hasn't been impressive in the regular season, but his Super Bowl performance proved crucial to Andy Reid's side withstanding a tough test from Philadelphia.
Patrick Mahomes could use some extra help, so K.J. Osborn could be a good fit for Kansas City. The 26-year-old wideout isn't having the best start to the 2023 campaign with a 50 percent catch rate, but he was solid in the previous two seasons, combining for 12 touchdowns receptions.
The Chiefs aren't looking for a superstar at wide receiver. They could use someone like Osborn with experience, potential future upside, and the ability to move the chains consistently as a secondary option for Mahomes. Osborn wouldn't be too difficult to acquire in terms of parting ways with valuable draft picks.
Smith could intrigue the Chiefs as additional safety help, while Hunter could give this pass rush a welcome boost to ease pressure off Chris Jones. Schematically, Hunter likes to split very wide from the offensive tackles due to his ridiculous athletic tools, so he and Jones could change the entire dynamic of how an offense has to line up in the passing game if they were to start together on the same side of the formation.
2. San Francisco 49ers should trade for Vikings EDGE Danielle Hunter
Blaming the kicker is a convenient option, but scapegoating a player for not making a kick in a game against a team with less talent than them is probably not the best course of action. The San Francisco 49ers remain one of the major Super Bowl contenders this season, which is a status they've enjoyed pretty much since Kyle Shanahan took the job.
San Francisco aim to have the best defense in the NFL and the best possible supporting cast, because Brock Purdy has his limitations under center. The 49ers are now 5-1 after that disappointing loss to the Cleveland Browns, so while they are an excellent team, the shadow of doubt exists regarding their ability to be the absolute best team in the NFL come February.
A legitimate superstar pass rusher like Danielle Hunter could help seal the 49ers' status as the top team to watch. Hunter is already sitting on six sacks this season, so imagine combining his qualities with the powerful Nick Bosa. The 49ers, with their strong anchors up front, could overwhelm any offensive line in the NFL. Pressure wins championships, as so many successful teams can attest over the years. A player like Hunter is worth the investment.
Harrison Smith wouldn't be a bad addition at all to help shore up the secondary and add veteran leadership, especially since Smith is someone capable of fulfilling pretty much any role at safety. Secondary depth is another area that makes or breaks teams in the postesason. And on the subject of depth, K.J. Osborn could give Purdy another option, as the 49ers may need one more wideout to be sure of their unit. Injuries can hit at the worst times, so thinking ahead and adding depth before the trade deadline can really pay off in January and February.
1. Buffalo Bills could trade for multiple Vikings veterans
Last season, the Buffalo Bills won 13 games and were one of the best teams in the NFL regular season, but they couldn't quite cut the mustard in the postseason. Buffalo's fifth straight playoff appearance isn't guaranteed either, because, heading into a Sunday Night Football matchup with the New York Giants, they were a relatively mediocre 3-2.
It looks like the Bills need an injection of quality before the trade deadline in order to make sure they can keep up with all the quality teams in the AFC, with their biggest target being 5-1 division rivals, the Miami Dolphins. The Bills don't look as impressive as the Dolphins right now, but with the right move at the trade deadline, they could work towards changing that narrative by the time the winter months roll around.
Buffalo don't have a real need for Harrison Smith with Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde at safety, but they could use another great pass rusher to help Leonard Floyd off one edge.
Ed Oliver has also been a standout with 9 QB hits from the defensive tackle position, but you can never have too many elite pass rushers in the NFL. Loading up the defensive line can end up being a great equalizer in the postseason, and two great edge rushers tend to have a synergistic effect. That's because offenses don't know what to do. They can't double-up with linemen or shift personnel to one side, because that will leave them precariously vulnerable to the other edge rusher.
As for K.J. Osborn at wide receiver, he makes sense as a trade target, too, because of how dynamic the offense is with Josh Allen under center. The Buffalo Bills love throwing the football, particularly to Stefon Diggs, who is one of the NFL's best. Beyond Diggs, Gabriel Davis and Deonte Harty have talent, but the Bills could make it a quartet if the price is right. Osborn would immediately be the No. 3 receiver, potentially complicating defensive gameplans against Diggs further. Diggs could use that extra pressure off his back on the downfield routes.