The Minnesota Vikings have battled back to .500 and find themselves firmly in the NFC playoff race. With a roster that has shown steady progress on both sides of the ball, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could look to buy at the NFL trade deadline. The team’s biggest needs remain at cornerback, running back, center, safety, and potentially quarterback.
If Minnesota is active before the deadline, these five trade targets make the most sense.
RB Target: De’von Achane, Miami Dolphins
When healthy, Aaron Jones has brought explosiveness to the Vikings’ backfield, but durability has been an issue all season. Veteran running back Jordan Mason has yet to prove himself as a consistent second option, and Minnesota’s offense relies heavily on balance. De’von Achane, one of the NFL’s most dynamic young running backs, could give head coach Kevin O’Connell’s new focal point.
Achane’s speed and efficiency fit perfectly into Minnesota’s system. He ranks 8th in PFSN’s RBi. O’Connell marries his running scheme to his play-action passing game. Achane is an every-down back who keeps the Dolphins offense optional.
He leads the league in yards per carry since entering the NFL, and his ability to break big plays on outside runs or short passes is electric. But he’s on his rookie deal, set to make less than $2 million next year. A trade would likely require a long-term commitment from Minnesota, which would be tricky at the deadline.
Head Coach Kevin O’Connell talks about J.J. McCarthy’s performance against Detroit pic.twitter.com/gM1k7L47QY
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 3, 2025
Verdict: A dream for Vikings fans, Achane would instantly improve any offense. Despite the recent firing of long-time GM Chris Grier, Achane should be a part of the Dolphins’ future.
CB Target: Riq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks
Cornerback remains one of Minnesota’s most pressing roster needs. Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers have been inconsistent, and Jeff Okudah, who signed a one-year deal in March, has yet to make a meaningful impact. That is why Riq Woolen makes sense not just for this season but for 2025 and beyond.
The Seahawks’ cornerback is a rare athletic talent at 6-foot-4, boasting elite range and recovery speed. He is entering a contract year if Seattle does not extend his deal. The Vikings could buy low, add a starting-caliber corner, and build a long-term piece for Brian Flores’ defense.
Verdict: A high-upside move that addresses both the present and the future. Woolen’s contract situation and fit make him one of the most strategic targets on the board.
OL Target: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Las Vegas Raiders
Minnesota’s offensive line has quietly become a story of its own. With veteran center Ryan Kelly still on injured reserve, Blake Brandel has stepped into the starting role and held his own. The front five of Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Brandel, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill played every snap in Detroit, a rare show of continuity for the Vikings.
Brandel has earned the staff’s trust with his toughness and command, but his natural position is not center. He is a converted tackle who has bounced around the line, which could leave the team searching for a more natural fit at the position. Enter Raiders lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson. That profile aligns with Minnesota’s multiple-rushing attack and provides long-term flexibility. At just 23 years old, Powers-Johnson could fill a short-term hole at center or guard while developing into a long-term starter under O’Connell’s system.
Verdict: A developmental gamble worth considering. His run-blocking strength matches the Vikings’ needs, but if Kelly is trending towards a return, then assets could be better spent elsewhere.
S Target: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dolphins
The Dolphins have already shown they are willing to move stars after sending Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles for a third-round pick. Reports suggest they could also listen to offers for five-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Minnesota’s safety group, led by Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, and Theo Jackson, ranks outside the top 35 in PFSN’s SAFi metric. Fitzpatrick, who ranks 21st, would provide an immediate upgrade.
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Fitzpatrick remains under team control with a minimal 2025 cap hit and $15.6 million due in 2026, none of which is guaranteed. His versatility in coverage and experience as a defensive leader would fit seamlessly into defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ system, given their shared time in Miami.
Verdict: A splashy move that would elevate Minnesota’s secondary and bring veteran leadership to a playoff-caliber defense.
QB Target: Russell Wilson, Giants
Quarterback stability remains a lingering question despite J.J. McCarthy’s steady improvement. With Carson Wentz on injured reserve and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer as the backup, the Vikings could benefit from veteran depth. Russell Wilson, currently buried on the Giants’ bench, offers proven experience and would come cheap with most of his salary still paid by New York.
Wilson’s deep-ball ability would, at the very least, give the Vikings playmakers a shot to compete if he had to play in a worst-case scenario.
Verdict: Before Sunday, this move made sense. But O’Connell said he’s pretty comfortable with the Vikings quarterback room.