Minnesota Vikings Needs & Candidates Ahead Of The NFL Trade Deadline

The Minnesota Vikings are 5-2 and third in the NFC North.

They have lost two straight games, allowing 30 or more points in each of the last two games.

Minnesota is in the best division in the NFL with the Lions being 6-1, the Packers being 6-2, and the Bears 4-3.

The Minnesota Vikings lost their best offensive lineman, Christian Darrisaw, for the remainder of the season.

They traded for LT Cam Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars. PFF ranks Robinson as the number 32 tackle this season.

However, Robinson was benched in the Jaguars’ loss to the Packers in week 8.

Below, we look at the Minnesota Vikings’ needs ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

Minnesota Vikings Needs Ahead Of The NFL Trade Deadline

The Minnesota Vikings began the season 5-0 but have lost two straight and are now 5-2.

If the Vikings hope to compete with the Lions and Packers for the division crown, they need to make some more moves to improve their roster.

There are some glaring weaknesses the Minnesota Vikings have and must address.

Cornerback

The Minnesota Vikings have been very good at stopping the run, ranking third in the league in rushing yards allowed per game. However, their pass defense has been getting lit up. They rank 30th in the league in passing yards allowed per game.

One player the Vikings should try and acquire if he is available is Saints CB, Marshon Lattimore.

With the Saints 2-6, they may be sellers at the trade deadline.

Minnesota needs to add a cornerback at the NFL trade deadline to improve their defense.

Offensive Lineman

While adding Cam Robinson helps, losing Christian Darrisaw was a big loss that Robinson may not be able to fill the void.

Robinson was benched in week 8 by the Jags.

Sam Darnold is not a mobile quarterback and he needs to be protected to have success.

The Minnesota Vikings are stacked on offense. Weapons like Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones, Jordan Addison, and they will get TE TJ Hockenson back this week create a dangerous offense.

The Minnesota Vikings need to find another offensive lineman available via trade and try and acquire them.

Qurterback

Sam Darnold has been a solid QB for the Minnesota Vikings but he is not the answer to take the Vikings deep into the playoffs.

With Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones, Jordan Addison, and TJ Hockenson, they are stacked on offense.

However, Darnold has not shown in his NFL career that he can be a franchise QB. The Vikings have a roster that can make the playoffs and make a deep playoff push but they need an upgrade at QB.

Matthew Stafford was rumored to possibly be on the move. However, with the Rams still in contention to win the NFC West, it is unlikely the Rams will trade Stafford.

Derek Carr could be a QB to watch as the trade deadline approaches. He is an upgrade over Darnold and would thrive in this offense with Jefferson.

The Minnesota Vikings have a good roster but they need to address cornerback, offensive lineman, and the QB position if they hope to win a tough NFC North.