General manager Nolan Teasley has been on the job for the Minnesota Vikings since early June, and he’s yet to make his first trade. The first deal could hit at any moment. And we just so happen to have recommendations.
Listed in alphabetical order, these are trades endorsed by VikesNow and aren’t too unrealistic.
Three Calls Minnesota Should Make Before Week 1
1. 5th-Rounder for TE Michael Mayer
In reality, this hypothetical deal could be something closer to Mayer and a 7th-rounder to Minnesota for a 5th-round pick and a 6th-rounder. The veteran tight end’s price is low because Las Vegas features Brock Bowers as the TE1, not Mayer, despite Mayer’s lofty 2023 draft stock.
There are three things at play here to make the Mayer trade attractive:
- His contract will expire after 2026. Las Vegas may want to get something for him before letting him hit 2027 free agency.
- The Vikings’ TE1, T.J. Hockenson, is scheduled to hit 2027 free agency, too. This could be his last ride in Minnesota.
- If Hockenson got hurt in 2026, the Vikings would have no true TE1. Mayer could, in theory, fill that job.
The Vikings could pair him with Hockenson and Josh Oliver, creating a nasty three-tight-end rotation. The acquisition would also bring in a former 35th overall pick with a diverse skill set via blocking and pass-catching.
If Mayer is on the trade block any time in the next couple of months, Teasley should inquire. He’s being wasted in Las Vegas behind Bowers.
2. OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux to Vikings for a Mid-Rounder
This deal would probably resemble a 3rd-rounder to New York for Thibodeaux and a 5th-round pick. The Vikings have an extra 3rd-rounder in the bag for 2027 due to the Jonathan Greenard trade. What better way to use it than to fetch another outside linebacker?
The Giants – – who the Vikings just beat in the preseason – – will feature Brian Burns and Abdul Carter as their main EDGE defenders this season. They also drafted Arvell Reese four months ago. Thibodeaux’s path to a second contract in New York feels grim.
Minnesota faces the opposite challenge: Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner are established starters, but the team lacks proven depth behind them. Thibodeaux, with 23.5 career sacks, would immediately restore the three-deep EDGE structure Minnesota lost when it traded Greenard.
Use the fruit of the Greenard trade to replace … Greenard … is the mantra here. The Vikings would then have a full season to decide if Thibodeaux is worth an extension.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen said in April, “We have not had any conversations about Kayvon Thibodeaux today. That’s not true.”
Therefore, if Schoen is telling the truth – – a big if – – this could be a long shot.
3. 7th-Rounder for C Olusegun Oluwatimi
Teasley already signed one of his Seattle Seahawks buddies a few weeks ago: Jamal Adams. Over the next few years, more former Seahawks players could be on the way. It’s just how sports work. Executives and coaches keep tabs on “their guys.”
Oluwatimi is the most realistic target of the three. Although Seattle’s current depth chart lists Jalen Sundell ahead of him, Oluwatimi has already proven himself as an NFL starter – – 13 times since entering the league in 2023.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is converting Blake Brandel to center, with little proven experience behind him. Acquiring Oluwatimi wouldn’t require replacing Brandel. Instead, it would give the Vikings legitimate insurance for their most uncertain starting offensive line position.
Oluwatimi wouldn’t strut onto the Vikings’ roster and take Brandel’s job, but he would offer more proven depth than Michael Jurgens, Gavin Gerhardt, and Delby Lemeiux. Two years ago, he accounted for a Pro Football Focus grade of 64.2 – – decent, not great.
Former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold said of Oluwatimi last year, “Olu does a really good job. He did a really good job when he got in there last week. I know that he’s going to continue to prepare his butt off and do everything that he can to help this team win.”
Teasley can likely obtain Oluwatimi for a 7th-rounder. He’s not a hot commodity.
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VikesNow Verdict: Mayer, Thibodeaux, and Oluwatimi would each strengthen a specific part of Minnesota’s roster without requiring a franchise-altering cost. Teasley should at least inquire.
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