If Rick Spielman were running the Patriots or Cardinals, he’d be asking for “premium plus” to allow the Vikings to trade into the top four of the NFL Draft.
In a video for The 33rd Team, Spielman pretended he was running both teams and said what he would ask from the Vikings to get a deal done – and one solution to striking a deal would be Minnesota parting with Justin Jefferson.
Considering the guy who replaced Spielman in Minnesota, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, has said on numerous occasions that Jefferson is not for sale, that idea would probably be laughed out of the building.
Spielman, playing the role of Patriots GM, to the Vikings:
“You’re going to give me your two first-round picks,” Spielman said. “It’s going to cost you a third-rounder this year and I want a first-rounder in 2025 because, technically, when I’m looking at this, a first-rounder in 2025 is worth a second-rounder this year.”
Spielman, playing the role of Cardinals GM, to the Vikings:
“If you are really interested in coming up to get your quarterback, I will take the two ones for you to get up there and I have to have a one next year because you don’t have a two this year. I’m going to have to get the one next year, but I am willing to forfeit that for Justin Jefferson,” Spielman said.
So, to recap, Spielman thinks three firsts and a third could land Minnesota the No. 3 pick while the No. 4 pick would either cost three firsts or two firsts and Jefferson.
Three firsts and a second is what San Francisco traded away in 2021 to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 in order to select quarterback Trey Lance, so there is a precedent for the thinking.
The Vikings acquired a first-round pick from Houston days after Cousins’ exit, and that additional first-rounder has put them in the pole position among teams looking to move up in the draft.
