As the Minnesota Vikings inch closer to this week’s NFL Draft, trade rumors have begun to accumulate regarding the team’s pursuit of Washington offensive lineman Trent Williams.
On his latest podcast, ESPN’s John Keim stated that Washington is still shopping the former All-Pro left tackle and the Vikings are a team that is in the hunt for his services.
“I know Minnesota was definitely one of the teams interested,” Keim said. “I think they’d probably be the team to watch. Whether they get him or not, I don’t know.”
Keim also stated that Washington hasn’t gotten the offers to get a deal done and would be content to trade him after the draft and even wait until August for a better return.
Williams is a seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle who sat out the entire 2019 season after requesting a trade. The 31-year-old played with Kirk Cousins from 2012 to 2017 but also holds a $14.5 million cap hit, which is an obstacle for Minnesota with just over $12 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.
The Vikings already have Riley Reiff at left tackle, but his $13.8 million cap hit is tough for Minnesota to swallow. If the Vikings landed Williams, they have the option to move Reiff to left guard, but could also cut him and save $8.8 million.
With trade rumors also surrounding safety Anthony Harris and Cleveland wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., it’s becoming clear that the Vikings are about to embark on an interesting draft week.
