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Minnesota Vikings: Recapping the Third Round Trade

By Paul Bellesen

Oct 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer (L) speaks with general manager Rick Spielman (R) prior to their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer (L) speaks with general manager Rick Spielman (R) prior to their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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As expected, Rick Spielman, draft day trader, made some moves with a Minnesota Vikings draft pick.

In the 2016 NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings sent their third round pick to the Miami Dolphins. In return, the received a 2016 sixth round pick, and a third and fourth round pick in 2017. This gives Spielman ammunition to move up in next year’s first round and get a highly touted prospect to fill a major hole on this roster if they can find a major hole.

A lot of people think that this will be the last year that Adrian Peterson will be in purple, due to his huge $18 million cap hit next season. In my opinion, they will restructure Peterson’s contract to a more team friendly number. That being said, next year might be a good time to look for a possible long-term replacement for Peterson. He is getting up there in age, and next year’s running back class might be the best one in years.

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From Leonard Fournette of LSU, Nick Chubb of Georgia, Dalvin Cook of Florida State, to Christian Mccaffrey of Stanford, there could possibly be multiple running backs in next year’s first round. Watching Fournette run last year he reminded me of Peterson. Great downhill runner that is very hard to take down. Cook is also an interesting prospect with his ability to cut on a dime. I would be all for jumping up to take one of these guys.

We could also be looking to move up to take a top-tier left tackle, as we have Matt Kalil, Phil Loadholt, and Andre Smith with expiring contracts next year. Alabama’s Cam Robinson is looked at as the top tackle prospect coming out in next year’s draft. Investing in the protection of Teddy Bridgewater would always be a great idea.

This offseason, Mike Zimmer stated that he was not happy with the spot opposite of Harrison Smith. We did nothing in free agency to address this position. We took a late round flyer on Jayron Kearse, who has all the measurable, but is not a sure bet to pan out.

Spielman could be looking to address the safety position and find a piece that would sure up the secondary for years to come. Jabrill Peppers of Michigan is considered a pure athlete, as he plays Safety, Linebacker, Kick returner, and Wide Receiver. He is an amazing talent. Another prospect is Jamal Adams of LSU is another extremely talented safety who could be a great fit.

We could also just keep the picks where they are, depending on how free agency goes. If we lose a few pieces, the extra picks could help us. No matter what the Minnesota Vikings front office decides to do, I will be happy. They have made some decisions in the last couple years that people were not understanding of, yet they worked out best for the team. Who knows, depending on how Bridgewater plays this season, and if the team has full confidence in him, we could be in the market for a top-tier quarterback next year.

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