ESPN Floats Two Crazy Draft Day Trades Involving Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings — led by acting GM Rob Brzezinski and head coach Kevin O’Connell — have nine picks to work with in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, and they have plenty of needs to target across the depth chart.

To this point, the Vikings have shown little interest in a blockbuster move up the board in round one. However, they do have the ammunition to do so, especially if they were interested in including either of their two major question marks this offseason, EDGE Jonathan Greenard and QB JJ McCarthy.

In a piece released at ESPN.com Monday, Bill Barnwell (ESPN) floated two separate blockbuster trade ideas, involving their 18th overall pick + Greenard OR McCarthy, that would theoretically move the Vikings up into the top 15, should they be targeting a talent higher up the board on night one (April 23).

Minnesota Vikings trade Jonathan Greenard in blockbuster

Currently holding the 18th overall pick in the first round of April’s draft, the Minnesota Vikings aren’t exactly in the most premium spot. They could get there by moving assets to jump forward, and that’s exactly what Barnwell suggests first.

The Trade: Chiefs get: 1-18, 3-97, Edge Jonathan Greenard, Vikings get: 1-9, Edge Felix Anudike-Uzomah

This trade would value the difference between Greenard and Anudike-Uzomah — a former first-round pick who hasn’t impressed with the Chiefs — as being worth the 54th pick, according to the Johnson chart, in a typical draft. The Vikings would move up from No. 18 to No. 9 and put defensive coordinator Brian Flores in line to add one of the premier defensive backs in this year’s class.

Bill Barnwell – ESPN

There might be something to work with in Anudike-Uzomah, who was the 31st overall pick in 2023. He could slot into the rotational role currently filled by Dallas Turner, and he is still on his rookie deal at 24 years old.

Anudike-Uzomah missed all of 2025 due to a severe hamstring injury. He has just three sacks in his first 34 professional games, and has earned only three starts. A new system, and working with Brian Flores, may help.

By moving into the top ten, the Vikings could have their pick of the position they want to address. An additional cornerback, safety, defensive tackle, or even a slight slide of Jeremiyah Love could be in play. By not paying Greenard, and moving the pieces around, this doesn’t look half bad.

Vikings trade JJ McCarthy to move into top 15

What happens with the Minnesota Vikings recent first round quarterback remains a mystery. Kyler Murray is in purple, and he’s going to be the starting quarterback. J.J. McCarthy could stick around to work with or behind Carson Wentz, but maybe this is a chance to move on and recoup value too.

The Trade: Rams get: 1-18, 3-97, QB J.J. McCarthy, Vikings get: 1-13

At the right price, though, taking a flyer on McCarthy would make sense. The Vikings are unlikely to move forward with the 2024 ninth overall pick as their quarterback of the future, having signed Kyler Murray to take over as their starter in 2026 before deciding on McCarthy’s fifth-year option after the season. Getting something for the 23-year-old quarterback would make sense if the organization has decided it is going to be heading in a different direction.

Bill Barnwell – ESPN

At some point Matthew Stafford is going to retire, and Sean McVay working with a developmental product along the lines of Baker Mayfield makes a good deal of sense. McCarthy has just 10 starts under his belt, but completed only 57.6% of his passes and owns an 11/12 TD/INT rate.

While the Minnesota Vikings will never get equivalent value to the 9th overall draft pick they used on McCarthy, they could decide to cut bait before his stock falls even further. Not to mention, dealing him would remove a potential distraction, once JJ realizes he isn’t going to be the guy.

Fascinating draft for the Minnesota Vikings

It will be fascinating to see how Brzezinski and O’Connell navigate the draft without the oversight of a true general manager. If given either of the opportunities floated above, leadership would have to seriously consider either offer.

While the above scenarios seem a bit crazy, they’d allow Minnesota to recoup decent draft capital for a pass rusher who wants a massive pay raise and a young QB who’s, in all likelihood, no longer part of the team’s future.

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