The Vikings have a bye this week as you all know. I believe the team always does self scouting and probably is looking for ways to improve the roster. The team has clearly had its fair share of injury already. Donovan Jackson and Josh Oliver being out for the season really stinks but the show must go on. Not having Mason for the last few weeks and having Addison miss the last game after Jefferson missed the previous two sure makes it difficult to build chemistry. It also makes it tough to self scout because you have yet to see your hoped for starting offensive unit even play one full game together. What can they scout? How not to get injured?
Obviously they will want to get the pre-snap penalties cleaned up. They will want to get Kyler deeper into the offense to that he will know the plays really well. I do not know what happens with a QB but I imagine he is just thinking of his progressions and maybe not intuitively knowing where the other receivers are on a given play. I am sure they know but do they really truly automatically and instinctively go to the next options quickly? Regardless of Kyler Murray staying here longer than this season, the team needs to have one QB in the system for at least 3 to 4 years. Is that too much to ask? Kyler did not see Jennings wide open for a TD and it is perplexing because the way he was throwing it, it seemed like an easy completion.
What did KOC say? Time on task right? That is what the offense needs the most. In fact, Kyler echoed that exact same phrase word-for-word after the Saints win. When he was asked why the offense finally looked sharper, he flat out said it came down to “time on task, getting more comfortable in this offense with Kevin.”
Self scouting the defense is tougher. A lot tougher. What can they possibly want to get better at? I would say pressures. The blitz rate and success has helped to mask the pressure from the interior. Maybe that is by design because of the youths? Either way, we need to up the ante and get even more out of the front.
With the trade deadline approaching, are there any moves that make sense? We all would love to get another interior lineman but they are hard to come by during the season due to injuries. They might be able to get a tight end from another team. Maybe? The Bengals and Rams come to mind. Running back is a popular choice but Mason should be returning after the bye. I am thinking Edge rusher.
How about this trade with the Chiefs …
Jauan Jennings plus a 2027 7th for Felix Anudike-Uzomah and a 2026 6th
The question is why would the Chiefs move on from FAU? Well, he was injured in 2025 and they did not pick up his fifth year option. He is a free agent next year just like Jennings. FAU has maybe been miscast in their scheme. Bringing him here and allowing him to stand up and rush the passer could be beneficial.
Another idea that could be already out there is a trade with the Dolphins …
A 2027 conditional 6th for Josh Uche.
… Uche is a free agent next year and the Dolphins are winless. They signed him to a minimum level deal and while they might want to keep him next year, it could prove tough if he sours on their environment. at the same time, he is playing well for them and opposite Chop Robinson. Having a starting spot and a likely massive increase in pay next year is reason for him to stay and for the Dolphins to not move him. I like this one but I doubt it gets done.
Are there any moves you can dream up?
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
NFL Power Rankings: 5-0 Start Helps Vikings Reach Top 5
https://www.vikings.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-5-undefeated-start-top-5
No. 7 (up 4 spots): Nick Shook – NFL.com
I know the Vikings have a truly special defense. I’d been wondering whether their offense would ever show up. We saw signs of it in the second half against the Saints, a stretch in which Kyler Murray dropped a pass over three defenders into Justin Jefferson’s bucket for a touchdown and led an attack that scored 17 points in the final two quarters. There are still plenty of kinks to work out, but Murray is beginning to look more comfortable in Kevin O’Connell’s system.
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No. 3 (up 3 spots): Kris Knox – Bleacher Report
The Minnesota Vikings moved to 5-0 on Sunday, and for the first time this season, things seemed to be clicking in all phases.
Having Justin Jefferson back in the lineup was huge, and it helped Kyler Murray deliver his best performance as a Viking so far. Aaron Jones, Sr., returned from a first-quarter knee injury and ran for 113 yards, while Minnesota’s defense held the New Orleans Saints to a mere 142 total yards.
The Vikings defense has looked championship-caliber all season. If Murray and the offense can continue to make positive strides after next week’s bye, this team could remain undefeated for the foreseeable future.
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No. 3 (no change): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports
[The Vikings] just keep on winning with their defense. But the offense showed some life with Kyler Murray in the victory over the Saints.
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No. 4 (up 2 spots): Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News
The Vikings are getting it done where it counts, even though they might not seem to be so clean from game to game. They are up to 10 takeaways in five games and now rank second in time of possession (33:37) after having the ball for almost 40 minutes vs. the Saints.
Kevin O’Connell on Evolution of Vikings Offense, Roster Depth Demonstrated Against Saints
https://www.vikings.com/news/kevin-oconnell-evolution-of-offense-roster-depth-against-saints
Aaron Jones, Sr., continued to be a warrior in the run game, and Kyler Murray “spit completions” all afternoon while extending plays with his legs.
“I do feel like we’re growing and we’re creating space in the run game. We’re running it at a high clip,” said O’Connell, noting the team’s ability “to impose our will late in the game.”
“It’s very positive,” he said. “I think we’ll continue to see the evolution of how we put it all together, the impact of Kyler throwing a bunch of completions. I think he’s [completed] 40 of his [past] 48 pass attempts. We’ve really seen him click into a comfort [level] playing the position — using his athleticism, being a factor with his legs and protecting himself while doing it.
“I’m excited about what’s coming for us offensively,” O’Connell added. “I’ve kind of envisioned it being like that from the beginning of the season, and we’ve been able to win football games as we progress, but ultimately to maximize who we want to be as a team, where our offense is going to be a big part of that.”
No 1. Mobility from Murray
Sunday’s game against the Saints felt a little “vintage Kyler Murray” in the number of ways he implemented his mobility.
O’Connell explained it’s “not an every-down thing, and we don’t really want to put parameters too much of ‘Here’s when you do it, here’s when you don’t.’ ” Having the ability to call on Murray’s athleticism, though, is hugely valuable.
“To me, it’s the fundamentals of it. It’s the progression,” O’Connell said. “Obviously some elite-level throws like the touchdown to Justin [Jefferson] and some other plays kind of off-schedule where he kept his eyes up and found some people. I thought the protection allowed for it.”
O’Connell tipped his cap to Murray for doing “an unbelievable job” escaping pressure in a few instances and keeping drives alive.
“The third-down conversions are huge,” he said. “I think we’ll continue to see different ways we can activate them by design, which we did a little bit [Sunday], but then also ultimately understanding those off-schedule plays where the defense [has] a coverage plan for Justin that didn’t account for [Murray].
“There’s only so many bodies on the field. If you want to have a four-man rush, you want to populate coverage to Justin and then ultimately leave some areas of the field open for Kyler to be able to activate,” O’Connell continued. “And it was pretty darn impressive feeling the actual juice and the speed at which he can do those things.”
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No 3. Physicality from Joe Huber
Another example of Minnesota’s “next man up” mentality is Joe Huber starting at left guard in place of an injured Donovan Jackson.
O’Connell said Huber, who joined the Vikings in 2025 as an undrafted rookie, played “incredibly physical” against the Saints.
“There was zero of leaving anything in the tank for Joe. I mean, he was flying off the ball. He was throwing his hat,” O’Connell said. “Things were moving quickly early on in the game, but that’s to be expected. But I think between coming in last week and then ultimately getting a practice week under his belt — I think the coolest thing about Joe yesterday was the self-correct reps we saw.
“It’s … something that maybe happened early on in the football game, getting an opportunity later on in the game or even on a drive to absorb that and then maybe change [his] technique or fundamentals or anticipate what was coming from New Orleans,” O’Connell continued. “He demonstrated that, which is really exciting for a young player, but not surprised at how well Joe played. And obviously we’re going to need him to continue to ascend. But I have nothing but confidence with the guys coaching him and the guys around him on that offensive line, and Joe himself, that he’s going to do that. Really fortunate to have Joe.”
What positions could Vikings look to strengthen before NFL trade deadline?
https://bringmethesports.com/what-positions-could-vikings-look-to-strengthen-before-nfl-trade-deadline
Running back
Aaron Jones has been a warrior in the workhorse role since Jordan Mason got hurt in the opener, turning 97 touches into 442 total yards over the last four weeks. Mason is expected to be back after the bye. But Jones is 31, frequently banged up, and doesn’t have a gain of more than 20 yards this season. Mason is a quality player, but he isn’t much of a home run threat either.
Barring another injury, running back isn’t a dire need for the Vikings, who also have DeeJay Dallas and Demond Claiborne as depth pieces. At the same time, with how much importance they’ve put on the running game this season, it’s hard not to wonder what a star-caliber back could do for their offense.
Tight end
Another position where the Vikings have suffered a significant injury loss is tight end. Josh Oliver, Minnesota’s excellent blocker, is likely out for the season with a torn biceps. T.J. Hockenson also entered the concussion protocol early in Sunday’s win, although that’s not believed to be a long-term concern. The next men up for the Vikings against the Saints were Gavin Bartholomew and Ben Yurosek, who held up fairly well.
It’s hard to overstate how important Oliver was to the Vikings’ offense, especially in the run game. It’s a little bit niche, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Teasley and Minnesota target a blocking tight end who can help bring their rushing concepts to life.
What’s behind the Vikings’ shocking 5-0 start? Exceptional defense, reliable special teams
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7687319/2026/10/14/vikings-undefeated-bye-defense-special-teams/
The Vikings apply pressure in every possible way. They stress opposing coaches, protection plans, quarterbacks and skill players. Other teams cannot copy and paste their scheme because they don’t have an inventive staff with four years of continuity that has prioritized players with aptitude and versatility.
“In my opinion, you couldn’t have remotely close to the same success with a first-year group,” linebacker Blake Cashman said. “You wouldn’t be in the same realm if you just threw together a bunch of guys who have never done what we do the way we do it.”
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If the offense gives Flores’ unit a reason to think another scheme would work better, the Vikings are not afraid to scrap a week’s worth of planning.
“Things are constantly changing,” edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel said last week. “It could be changing game to game. It could be changing from series to series. It could be changing from play to play. It could be changing within the play.”
2026 NFL Trade Block Big Board Entering Week 6
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25509661-2026-nfl-trade-block-big-board-entering-week-6
- Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projected Trade Value: 2027 5th-Round Pick
Given the aforementioned cascade of 2026 running-back injuries, there should be a fair amount of interest in Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenneth Gainwell. The former Eagles and Steelers backup has long been a capable change-of-pace option.
Gainwell showed last season that he can be a high-volume complementary back, too. While working in tandem with Steelers starter Jaylen Warren, he racked up 187 touches, 1,023 scrimmage yards, and eight touchdowns.
The Bucs signed Gainwell to a two-year, $14 million deal, hoping to form a dangerous tandem with him and Bucky Irving. However, Gainwell simply hasn’t carved out a significant role in Zac Robinson’s offense.
Tampa leaned heavily on its ground game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. Irving unsurprisingly led the charge, but Gainwell saw fewer carries (four) than even Sean Tucker (five). The Buccaneers could probably be convinced to move Gainwell for a reasonable return and $2 million in 2026 cap savings.
Potential Suitors: New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles
- Josh Uche, Edge, Miami Dolphins
Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 5th-Round Pick
The Miami Dolphins remain winless. While they’ve looked like a scrappy young team that might steal a few victories late in the season, it’s been clear since the summer that they are building for 2027 and beyond.
Miami parted with several of its most notable veterans in the offseason, including standout receiver Jaylen Waddle. While the Dolphins don’t have many sensible assets left to trade, veteran edge Josh Uche is an option.
Uche just turned 28 in September, but he’s set to be a free agent in the spring and may not be in Miami’s long-term plans. However, he’s a talented rotational defender who would interest teams that need help rushing the passer.
Pro Football Focus has graded Uche as the league’s 33rd-best edge-defender through Week 5. While he has logged just a single sack this season, he has added 20 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and four QB pressures.
Potential Suitors: New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles
3 NFL teams that could trade for Steelers RB Rico Dowdle
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/3-nfl-teams-could-trade-144132986.html
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ top two running backs, Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, have major durability concerns. Jones, while currently healthy, has dealt with a multitude of soft-tissue injuries and knee setbacks during his career. Mason is expected to return in Week 7 after being placed on injured reserve for a fractured thumb. At 5-0, the Vikings can’t afford to lose one of their top guys on the cusp of what could be a franchise-defining season. Dowdle would come in right away and compete for snaps with both Jones and Mason, while also giving Minnesota arguably the best RB depth in the league.
NFL trade deadline buyers and sellers: Cowboys looking to add, possible Chargers fire sale?
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-trade-deadline-buyers-sellers-cowboys-bucs-chargers/
Seller: Chargers
Sell candidates: Khalil Mack, Donte Jackson, Quentin Johnston, David Njoku
Why wait until the deadline to move on from obvious trade candidates such as Mack? The Chargers are, shockingly, going nowhere fast at 0-5 and face a grueling schedule between now and Nov. 10, so they may as well get out ahead of the market and sell before they lose even more leverage. This roster and its coaching staff might have simply run its course, because after years of coming up short in the postseason, their chances of even getting back there in 2026 are bleak at best.
Mack is by far the most tradeable player on the roster as a 35-year-old playing extremely well on a one-year contract. That is the exact kind of rental player that defense-needy playoff contenders are in search of every single year.
Teams with holes on the back end of the defense could call about Jackson and his expiring contract, too. He racked up nine interceptions across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, after all. And on the other side of the ball, someone will look past Johnston’s drop problems and see his physical attributes as worthy of investment. Meanwhile, Njoku should be a cheap option at tight end.
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Seller: Titans
Sell candidates: Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, Jermaine Johnson II
If a Titans breakthrough comes during the Robert Saleh era, it does not appear it will happen in Year 1. This franchise is still stuck in rebuild mode and needs to acquire as much draft capital as possible to round out its core of Cam Ward and Carnell Tate with more young prospects. That means cutting bait on what already looks like a lost season, parting with the tradeable veterans, hoping that Ward shows signs of improvement in the second half of the year and making good use of what should be another early first-round pick in 2027.
Pollard is among the biggest names across the NFL who could be next in line to be traded. The former Pro Bowler is on an expiring contract and perhaps in the final stages of his prime. He would be a terrific No. 2 option for a team that already has a standout starting running back.
Ridley already seems to be in the midst of his decline and is no longer a regular starter, but was a perennial 1,000-yard receiver as recently as two years ago. And even though the Titans traded for Johnson in the offseason, they did so knowing he would play 2026 on his fifth-year option and could flip him in an attempt to get something in return rather than watching him leave at the end of his contract.
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Seller: Dolphins
Sell candidates: Austin Jackson, Zach Sieler, Josh Uche
To climb out of the deepest rebuild in the NFL, the Dolphins have to establish a core around which they can build a roster. There are early signs of one existing in standout first-year linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and rookie wide receivers Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell, but Miami needs another big draft like the 13-pick haul it put together this past spring. While it lacks a volume of tradeable veterans and will have a hard time receiving Day 1 or Day 2 capital in return, there are a couple who could help the Dolphins pile up selections in the later rounds.
Jackson is off to a rough start as the 71st-rated offensive tackle among 72 qualifiers, per PFF, but tackles are always in demand. He would be an affordable half-season rental. Sieler, at 31, is much older than the defensive pieces the Dolphins plan to build around. Uche is the strongest candidate of the three to re-sign with Miami, but even that is no guarantee.
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Seller: Buccaneers
Sell candidates: Chris Godwin, Kenneth Gainwell, YaYa Diaby, A’Shawn Robinson, Zyon McCollum
They finally got up off the mat with a “Thursday Night Football” upset of the Cowboys, but this remains a concerning start to the year for the Buccaneers as coach Todd Bowles seeks to hang onto his job. If that win proves to be a blip on the radar, Bowles will become even more of a lame-duck coach, and the front office could begin a teardown of the roster. In that event, there are a number of assets who would become obvious trade bait.
The biggest question mark among the potential movers is McCollum, who is in the midst of a rebound season after he signed a three-year contract extension in 2025. Would his strong individual start to the year halt the Buccaneers from lumping him in with the more no-doubt trade pieces like Gainwell and Robinson? Or would they commit to a full rebuild and attempt to sell high on a player who could garner a more impactful return package than he would have at this time last year?
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Seller: Cardinals
Sell candidates: Josh Sweat, Budda Baker, Gardner Minshew
With one in-season trade already complete, the Cardinals have established themselves as sellers. Other teams will likely call to see just how many players they are willing to part with, as the team seems destined for a last-place finish in the NFC West and is liquidating pieces that do not fit into first-year coach Mike LaFleur’s system.
Sweat is the clearest candidate to leave, given the offseason buzz that suggested he wanted out of Arizona. He dispelled that narrative, as did general manager Monti Ossenfort, but perhaps there is fire behind the smoke. The former Pro Bowler may return the best trade package of anyone the Cardinals would realistically move.
Baker also ought to command early-round picks given his status as a perennial Pro Bowl honoree and the fact that he will remain under contract through 2027. And with the potential for the Cardinals to activate Carson Beck as their backup quarterback, the likelihood of them keeping Minshew around as a No. 3 option decreases.
Who should be the NFL’s buyers and sellers as the trade deadline approaches?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7687291/2026/10/14/nfl-trade-deadline-buyers-sellers-49ers-chargers/
15 trade candidates ahead of the 2026 NFL trade deadline
https://www.pff.com/news/15-trade-candidates-ahead-of-the-2026-nfl-trade-deadline
Minnesota Vikings will likely be aggressive at the trade deadline, and the position Nolan Teasley should target could be controversial
https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/minnesota-vikings-likely-be-aggressive-trade-deadline-nolan-teasley-khalil-mack-josh-downs-cam-bynum-teven/
Jauan Jennings landing spots: Could veteran WR reunite with 49ers after slow start in Minnesota?
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jauan-jennings-landing-spots-nfl-trade-deadline/
New Potential Jauan Jennings Trade Destination Emerges With WR Injuries
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/jauan-jennings-nfl-trade-news-rumors-steelers/
The Steelers have emerged as a potential destination for Jennings because injuries are piling up at wideout for the team.
Pittsburgh placed veteran Michael Pittman Jr. on injured reserve on Saturday. Then in Week 5, the Steelers lost Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek to injury. Neither receiver will play this Sunday versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Vikings’ biggest problem to fix during 2026 bye week after starting 5-0
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vikings-biggest-problem-fix-during-152723809.html
One Kyler Murray stat proves how badly the Arizona Cardinals fumbled and the Minnesota Vikings are benefiting
https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/one-kyler-murray-stat-proves-how-badly-the-arizona-cardinals-fumbled-and-the-minnesota-vikings-are-benefiting/
Kyler Murray propped up the Arizona Cardinals
When you look at what Murray did in Arizona, it’s important to understand a couple of factors. One of them being that he propped up an organization that at it’s best is dysfunctional. The other is how little success they have had without him.
Since tearing his ACL in 2022, Murray has as many wins as the Vikings’ starter than the Cardinals have without him.
Vikings QB Kyler Murray Makes Big Move Amid Undefeated Start in Minnesota
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/kyler-murray-ariziona-home-sale/
According to an October 13 report from the Phoenix Business Journal, Murray sold his Paradise Valley property in an off-market transaction. The sale comes seven months after Arizona released the former No. 1 overall pick, paving the way for his arrival in Minnesota.
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According to Arizona Sports, Murray’s 8,200-square-foot mansion sold for $13.75 million on September 24.
The quarterback originally purchased the home for $13.5 million in November 2022, just months after agreeing to a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension with the Cardinals.
The reported selling price represents a $250,000 increase over what Murray paid four years earlier, although that figure does not account for transaction costs or other expenses associated with owning the property.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/6453-E-Luke-Ave_Paradise-Valley_AZ_85253_M92904-32215
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6453-E-Luke-Rd-Paradise-Valley-AZ-85253/2082320500_zpid/
Yore Mock
TRADE: BUF receive: 1.21 <-> MIN receive: 1.29, 2.61
TRADE: MIN receive: 4.123 <-> CAR receive: 5.147, 5.159
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Pick 29. Nick Marsh (WR, Indiana) 6’3″ 203
Pick 53. Greg Johnson (OG, Minnesota) 6’5″ 320
Pick 61. Princewill Umanmielen (EDGE, LSU) 6’5″ 245
Pick 82. Devan Thompkins (DL, Alabama) 6’5″ 295
Pick 85. Justice Haynes (RB, Georgia Tech) 5’11” 210
Pick 123. Ben Roberts (LB, Texas Tech) 6’3″ 230
Pick 152. Brett Norfleet (TE, Missouri) 6’6″ 263
Pick 185. Daniel Harris (CB, California) 6’3″ 195
Pick 204. Matthew Bailey (S, Illinois) 6’2″ 215
Pick 214. Drew Bobo (IOL, Georgia) 6’5″ 305
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