Vikings’ Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Looking to Add More Draft Capital?

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Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings have only three total draft picks next year. Thanks to their move ups in the 2024 NFL draft to land quarterback J.J. McCarthy and outside linebacker Dallas Turner. They have a first-round and two fifth-round draft picks. Far from ideal if you’re general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

Although they have only three draft picks in 2025, there’s a few players the Vikings could trade to earn more draft capital. At least, according to one Minnesota Vikings’ beat writer.

Three potential players the Minnesota Vikings could trade for more draft capital

According to Judd Zulgad (Skor North), there’s three potential players the Minnesota Vikings could look to trade over these next couple days. Those players are former 2022 first-round draft pick safety Lewis Cine, 2022 third-round pick inside linebacker Brian Asamoah, and 2021 third-round pick outside linebacker Patrick Jones II.

It will be interesting to see if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah tries to make any trades before cuts are announced on Tuesday. The Vikings would love to add a draft pick or two because right now they only have three for 2025, including their first-rounder. Safety Lewis Cine was clearly being showcased last Saturday against the Browns and should get plenty of snaps against the Eagles. Speculating on other players Adofo-Mensah might try to move: Linebacker Brian Asamoah, a third-round pick in 2022 and/or pass rusher Pat Jones II, a third-round pick in 2021.

Judd Zulgad (Skor North)

Cine has been talked about as a trade target before. However, he did have a strong preseason game that may be lingering in the back of Adofo-Mensah’s head. Although he was a former first-round pick, Cine just hasn’t panned out with this team. It’s extremely unfortunate, but that is the nature of the NFL sometimes.

Asamoah is an intriguing trade asset too. He was supposed to be the starting inside linebacker last season, but was beat out by undrafted free agent Ivan Pace Jr. At the time, it looked really bad on Asamoah’s end. However, Pace Jr. has turned into one of the best linebackers in the NFL.

Related: Lewis Cine Still Has Uphill Battle to Make 53-Man Roster

Zulgad listing Jones II was quite interesting as well. Jones II hasn’t done a whole lot in his NFL tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, but really seemed to take that “next step” this offseason.

What could the Minnesota Vikings’ get in return for these players?

The Vikings are unlikely to get any high-end draft picks for any of these players. You’re likely looking at a sixth or seventh round draft pick back in return. Possibly conditional measures on those picks depending on snap counts during the season.

Overall, having only three picks in the 2025 NFL draft isn’t stellar. Adofo-Mensah has a chance to add more draft picks for players that likely will be cut or will see limited snaps during the season. Will Adofo-Mensah make these moves by Tuesday, August 27th at 3:00PM CST?

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