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The Minnesota Vikings continued to evaluate their wide receiver depth during the bye week by bringing in JuJu Smith-Schuster for a workout following their 23-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints. The veteran wide receiver, who has experience with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, and New England Patriots, has not yet been signed by Minnesota. This visit indicates that the front office is actively seeking ways to strengthen a roster that has started the season at 5-0.
The concerns about wide receiver depth arise from injuries to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, as well as Jauan Jennings’ unexpectedly limited role over the first five games. However, the Vikings’ trade deadline priorities should extend beyond merely adding another pass catcher. Their unbeaten start has shown that the defense is capable of controlling games, while injuries along the offensive line and a young defensive front have exposed areas where added experience could prove valuable as the schedule becomes more challenging.
With that, three players stand out as particularly sensible targets for the Vikings.
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Khalil Mack could add another dimension to Brian Flores’ pass rush
The Chargers’ 0-5 start has put Khalil Mack at the center of trade speculation, and the Minnesota Vikings should have a legitimate interest in the veteran edge rusher. Mack re-signed with Los Angeles on a one-year deal during the offseason, and his contract does not include a no-trade clause. At 35 years old, his value is more closely tied to helping a contender over the next few months than to a rebuilding team, which makes the Chargers’ poor performance particularly relevant as the trade deadline of November 10 approaches.
Minnesota would provide a very different environment for him. Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel already form the foundation of the Vikings’ edge rusher group, while defensive coordinator Brian Flores has built a defense that relies heavily on disguise, movement, and pressure from multiple alignments. Mack would fit into this system without having to shoulder the entire pass rush, allowing Minnesota to manage his workload while creating more challenging protection decisions for opposing offenses.
The need for Mack becomes even stronger when considering the departure of Jonathan Greenard during the offseason. Turner has been tasked with taking on more responsibility in his third season, and Minnesota has received valuable contributions from other young defenders, but adding a proven veteran like Mack would provide Flores with another option for obvious passing situations without hindering the development of the players already in place.
Mack’s experience also holds value beyond just sacks. Having spent over a decade dealing with protection adjustments, chips, and double teams, he would give Minnesota another defender capable of recognizing how offenses are attempting to neutralize pressure before the play develops. The Chargers would likely seek draft picks in exchange for Mack from multiple contenders, so the Vikings should remain disciplined during negotiations. A veteran on an expiring contract should not command the same type of return as a younger foundational pass rusher. Minnesota’s leverage comes from already having one of the league’s better defenses rather than needing a trade to stay competitive.
A reasonable price could turn an already difficult defensive front into an even deeper unit for the final months of the season.
Daron Payne would bring proven interior power to a young defensive line
In the 2026 draft, Minnesota made significant investments in the defensive interior by selecting Caleb Banks in the first round and Domonique Orange on Day 2. These additions provided defensive coordinator Brian Flores with a much younger group, following the departures of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, but the Vikings are still relying on developing players to take on meaningful snaps during a season that has quickly evolved into a legitimate contention window.
Daron Payne would bring a different type of presence to the team. The Washington Commanders have started the season poorly with a record of 1-3-1, and Payne has already been mentioned in trade discussions as the team evaluates a veteran player who is in the final year of his contract. At 29 years old, he still can disrupt the pocket from the interior, having recorded a sack and a forced fumble against the Giants in Week 5. His strength against the run would also provide Minnesota with another option alongside Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez.
Payne would fit well within Flores’ system because he possesses the athleticism to play multiple positions along the defensive front, rather than being confined to one spot. The Vikings frequently alter their defensive alignments before the snap, and an interior defender capable of attracting multiple blockers would help create clearer paths for the linebackers and edge rushers around him.
Adding Payne would also alleviate some of the pressure on Banks and Orange, allowing both rookies to remain part of the rotation while learning from a veteran who has extensive experience in playoff races, heavy workloads, and various defensive schemes.
Donte Jackson could give the secondary more veteran stability
Minnesota’s cornerback situation entered the season with limited depth behind starters Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers, and the first month has not alleviated those concerns.
Rookie Chuck Demmings has already faced a hamstring injury, while James Pierre and Zemaiah Vaughn have been called upon to support the starting duo. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ system places significant responsibility on defensive backs due to the extensive use of disguise and man coverage, and this makes experience particularly valuable as offenses begin to exploit weaker areas.
Donte Jackson, a cornerback from the Los Angeles Chargers, could become available as the team evaluates veteran contracts in the upcoming weeks. At 30 years old, Jackson has extensive starting experience, recording nine interceptions over the past two seasons, including four with the Chargers in 2025. This year, although limited due to a hamstring injury, he has also broken up two passes and forced a fumble.
Any potential acquisition would require a careful assessment of his health, but the fit seems logical for Minnesota. Jackson would provide an experienced option at outside cornerback without disrupting the roles of Murphy and Rodgers. This flexibility would be beneficial for the coaching staff, especially if injuries or specific matchups necessitate heavier rotation.
Given the Chargers’ current record, an experienced cornerback on a short-term deal may be obtainable for modest compensation.
Minnesota can afford to think like a buyer
A 5-0 record does not necessitate the Vikings becoming reckless before the trade deadline, especially given that injuries have already tested several areas of the roster. The front office has continued to make smaller adjustments, such as the Smith-Schuster workout and recent practice squad additions, but Kevin O’Connell has used the bye week to evaluate a team that has won despite rarely having all preferred starters available simultaneously.
All this success and instability gives Minnesota a clear reason to remain active. The offense should naturally improve with better health, as Jefferson, Addison, and the offensive line approach full strength, and it reduces the need for an expensive trade focused on adding another skill player, but defensive reinforcements could offer significant value, as Flores can introduce additional experience into a unit that already provides the Vikings with their most reliable weekly advantage.
The first five games have already established that Minnesota belongs in the NFC playoff conversation, and the trade deadline now presents an opportunity to strengthen the roster around that success without abandoning the draft-and-development approach that has been key to building much of the current core.
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