Three Surprising Trade Scenarios The Vikings Should Consider.
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:33 am
First, Rashod Hill, T
At 630,000 for 2018, Rashod Hill is a bargain for a borderline starting caliber RT. So why would we consider trading him? First, Brian O'Neill might be ahead of him in the competition for the RT spot. Once Remmers is healthy, he might be the best RT on the roster, and the position flexibility of Aviante Collins means he's the more likely candidate to suit up on game days if Hill does indeed find himself 2nd/3rd on the depth chart at RT. Additionally, Rashod Hill is NOT under contract for 2019 and with only 6 million in cap space currently available, its VERY UNLIKELY the Vikings prioritize signing Hill. He's probably gone after this season either way. Yet another compelling reason to consider trading Hill is that he might actually have significant trade value. He is not your normal top end camp cut who might fetch a 7th rounder. He is a guy who has played competently at RT in the NFL and still has room to improve. Particularly a team that suffers an injury at RT might be willing to cough up a pretty solid asset in return for Rashod Hill.
Second, Latavius Murry, RB
Murray is also in his last year with the Vikings. He's making 5.2, which could be valuable cap space if the Vikings are going to try to keep Anthony Barr. Murray has great size and acceleration, but is terrible after contact. On the whole, he's not without value, but he's also not elite. The Vikings have two young runners who may provide greater flexibility and scheme fit, and even more physicality in Thomas and Boone. Murray would have some value. Probably getting a 4th is unrealistic, but a 5th or pair of 6th rounders might be an option. Stockpiling those picks is going to matter a great deal as the Vikings come up against the salary cap for the first time in recent memory. Inexpensive players on rookie contracts are going to have to develop and play well. That means taking lots of bites at the apple. In short, the team likely isn't worse off without Murray this year, has better long term prospects in house, and can use both the cap space and the draft resources to better position the team for long term success.
Third, Trae Waynes, CB
Of course, there is a strong case to be made for keeping Waynes. Chief among them is the cliche, "you can never have enough CBs". That's probably true. The early hopes for Holton Hill might have been too optimistic (although he's still a nice prospect), but Horace Richardson, Marcus Sherels and Terrence Newman all seem capable of contributing in different ways. Clearly, there would be a risk in making this trade should Alexander, Hughes, or Rhodes go down. But there would also be a risk in NOT making this trade.
Trae Waynes is currently making just over 4 million, but next year he is slated to make 9 million with 0 guaranteed except for injury in 2019 on his 5th year option. Its very unlikely that Trae Waynes plays out that last year of his deal--and the Vikings could cut or trade him then--but should he be injured, an already tight cap situation becomes very costly! Getting out from under that possibility now, and getting something valuable in return might be a cautious and prudent decision.
While Trae Waynes has improved during his tenure with the team, he is not an elite player. He is weak against the slant route, and often picked on by opposing QBs. Every player has their weaknesses, and Waynes strengths are also worth noting, he's a willing tackler despite his size, had great recovery speed, and excellent long speed. Overall he is a good player, which means...
...Trae Waynes has value. Particularly in the case of an injury, I could see Waynes fetching a 2nd round pick. He'd likely bring a third in compensatory picks if he played out his deal and walked, but that wouldn't be an asset the Vikings could cash in on until 2021.
At 630,000 for 2018, Rashod Hill is a bargain for a borderline starting caliber RT. So why would we consider trading him? First, Brian O'Neill might be ahead of him in the competition for the RT spot. Once Remmers is healthy, he might be the best RT on the roster, and the position flexibility of Aviante Collins means he's the more likely candidate to suit up on game days if Hill does indeed find himself 2nd/3rd on the depth chart at RT. Additionally, Rashod Hill is NOT under contract for 2019 and with only 6 million in cap space currently available, its VERY UNLIKELY the Vikings prioritize signing Hill. He's probably gone after this season either way. Yet another compelling reason to consider trading Hill is that he might actually have significant trade value. He is not your normal top end camp cut who might fetch a 7th rounder. He is a guy who has played competently at RT in the NFL and still has room to improve. Particularly a team that suffers an injury at RT might be willing to cough up a pretty solid asset in return for Rashod Hill.
Second, Latavius Murry, RB
Murray is also in his last year with the Vikings. He's making 5.2, which could be valuable cap space if the Vikings are going to try to keep Anthony Barr. Murray has great size and acceleration, but is terrible after contact. On the whole, he's not without value, but he's also not elite. The Vikings have two young runners who may provide greater flexibility and scheme fit, and even more physicality in Thomas and Boone. Murray would have some value. Probably getting a 4th is unrealistic, but a 5th or pair of 6th rounders might be an option. Stockpiling those picks is going to matter a great deal as the Vikings come up against the salary cap for the first time in recent memory. Inexpensive players on rookie contracts are going to have to develop and play well. That means taking lots of bites at the apple. In short, the team likely isn't worse off without Murray this year, has better long term prospects in house, and can use both the cap space and the draft resources to better position the team for long term success.
Third, Trae Waynes, CB
Of course, there is a strong case to be made for keeping Waynes. Chief among them is the cliche, "you can never have enough CBs". That's probably true. The early hopes for Holton Hill might have been too optimistic (although he's still a nice prospect), but Horace Richardson, Marcus Sherels and Terrence Newman all seem capable of contributing in different ways. Clearly, there would be a risk in making this trade should Alexander, Hughes, or Rhodes go down. But there would also be a risk in NOT making this trade.
Trae Waynes is currently making just over 4 million, but next year he is slated to make 9 million with 0 guaranteed except for injury in 2019 on his 5th year option. Its very unlikely that Trae Waynes plays out that last year of his deal--and the Vikings could cut or trade him then--but should he be injured, an already tight cap situation becomes very costly! Getting out from under that possibility now, and getting something valuable in return might be a cautious and prudent decision.
While Trae Waynes has improved during his tenure with the team, he is not an elite player. He is weak against the slant route, and often picked on by opposing QBs. Every player has their weaknesses, and Waynes strengths are also worth noting, he's a willing tackler despite his size, had great recovery speed, and excellent long speed. Overall he is a good player, which means...
...Trae Waynes has value. Particularly in the case of an injury, I could see Waynes fetching a 2nd round pick. He'd likely bring a third in compensatory picks if he played out his deal and walked, but that wouldn't be an asset the Vikings could cash in on until 2021.