Is Rick Spielman Adding More Vikings Staples to Trade Block?


The NFL trade deadline is November 3 but the Minnesota Vikings opened up their barnyard trade doors early last week, when they dealt the recently acquired, Yannick Ngakoue to Baltimore. Obviously, that turned up the heat on rumored rebuilds and possible next moves.

On Thursday, I wrote about some of the other Vikings players who were rumored to be on the block. Already, that post seems to have expired. Way back then, Spielman seemed set on a hybrid rebuild model. It was a plan that included keeping guys like Harrison Smith and Adam Thielen.

Instead, trying to shed cap with older and less valuable veterans like Kyle Rudolph and Riley Reiff. Reports have included Anthony Harris too, who nobody expects back in 2021. But today, a report dropped that seems to have changed things.


While the team has tried to quell a sense that a firesale is afoot with its public remarks, the reality is the Ngakoue trade sent a distinct signal to other contending clubs and led to an outpouring of inquiries about the team’s roster. League sources said it’s possible that receiver Adam Thielen is dealt before the deadline, but not likely, while there was an expectation among other executives that Minnesota is very open to moving safety Harrison Smith, left tackle Riley Reiff and tight end Kyle Rudolph if they can find the right takers.

Jason La Confora – CBS Sports

Harrison Smith Seems in Play for sure.

If the Vikings aren’t going to sign Harrison Smith to a new deal (FA after 2021), they should shop him. Maybe someone will be desperate enough to give up a 1st but the price seems closer to a 2nd round pick, given he’s about to breach 32 years old.

For now, Spielman is holding Adam Thielen close to his chest. Rick also mentioned Adam (along with Smith Jr, Cook and Jefferson), when pointing to reasons why the Vikings aren’t tanking. That lead many to believe he wasn’t available. Spielman did NOT mention Harrison Smith, which I did find interesting at the time.

But maybe…

Taking Harrison Smith out of this already-terrible Minnesota Vikings secondary, would all but doom any likelihood of our defense stopping anybody the rest of this season. If Spielman is giving up on 2020, the conversation becomes more about how bad he wants the team to get.

The Viking Age (Fansided) brought up an interesting trade opportunity this afternoon. It almost makes too much sense, especially after Odell Beckham Jr went down with a knee injury today and early signs weren’t promising. If the Cleveland Browns can’t “dodge a bullet” when his MRI results come back tomorrow, they’d make for a perfect fit IF the Minnesota Vikings were to trade Thielen.

At 5-2, they’d likely be looking for a wide receiver to fill OBJ’s shoes. Well, nobody knows Adam Thielen’s value better than former Minnesota lifer (and now Cleveland Brown head coach), Kevin Stefanski.

Also, La Confora may have pushed back on Adam Thielen rumors in his article, but he wasn’t afraid of mentioning him in trade rumors today on CBS radio (quote pulled by WEEI Radio – Boston).



If more happens, we’ll let you know!

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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