Giants Veteran Floated as Potential Trade Target for Vikings
NFL teams are in the final stage of what they want to do at the trade deadline, and that includes the Minnesota Vikings. At 4-4, Kevin O’Connell and his team are at the bottom of the NFC North, but remain in the conference’s playoff picture.
After beating the Detroit Lions in Week 9, the Vikings have a puncher’s chance not just to secure an NFC Wildcard spot, but possibly win the division if the situation goes their way. Moreover, Minnesota might not need to make a splashy move, but one that improves its depth.
With the season-ending injury to Carson Wentz, the Vikings don’t have a reliable veteran quarterback behind J.J. McCarthy. If the young player struggles or an injury should arise, there’s not much behind him.
As a result, CBS Sports NFL analyst Ran Carthon believes that New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson would be an ideal last-minute target for Minnesota to have as insurance behind McCarthy.
“I like Russ here,” Carthon said on the October 3 edition of “CBS Sports HQ.” “We’ve heard potentially Kurt Cousins. I don’t see that happening because I don’t see the Vikings giving up a high pick and having the Falcons pay down that contract, and I just don’t see the Vikings taking on that number.
“But adding a guy like Russell Wilson, if you think about Russell Wilson when he was at his best, he had a strong defense and weapons all around him. I think going to a team like Minnesota, not as a starter, but as a quality backup for them, they’re sitting at 4-4 right now.”
Would Russell Wilson Want to Go to Minnesota?
If Wilson were to head to the Vikings, he’d be in a similar situation as he’s currently in with the Giants, serving as a backup for a young quarterback. Nonetheless, Carthon sees this as an ideal fit for Wilson because, as of now, McCarthy hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
“[The Vikings are] not out of it in the division, and they’re not out of it in the wild card,” Carthon added. “I think if something were to happen with J.J. McCarthy because he hadn’t been able to stay healthy, having a veteran like Russell Wilson there could right the ship and keep them in contention come January…
“[And] to have the ability to throw to Justin Jefferson and [Jordan] Addison and [T.J. Hockenson] and be able to play with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Those are all guys that are playing really good football at this point. And that would give him much better weapons than, I’ll say, what the Giants currently have.”
The Vikings Did Add a Veteran QB
While Wilson would be an interesting name to bring to the Vikings, Minnesota did make a move to bolster its depth at quarterback. On October 29, the team announced that they signed John Wolford to their practice squad.
Wolford played in seven NFL games and started four from 2020 to 2022, including a 2020 start with the Los Angeles Rams when O’Connell served as his offensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see if the Vikings feel that having rookie Max Brosmer and Wolford is enough depth behind McCarthy.
Malcolm Koonce has 3 likely landing spots if Raiders trade him at deadline
The Las Vegas Raiders' season has not gone according to plan. While Pete Carroll shared that he was expecting to compete right away after taking over, the team is just 2-6 following Sunday's gut-wrenching 30-29 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The loss has almost certainly guaranteed that the Raiders will miss the postseason for the fourth consecutive year. The focus on the team should clearly shift to the future, and figuring out which young players can be long-term contributors.
That could lead to several players being moved, if the price is right, ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. Malcolm Koonce is one of the names that the team should explore moving as he is set for free agency after the season. Three NFC teams are in need of a pass rusher and could make a move.
3 Malcolm Koonce trade destinations for the Raiders to consider
Koonce has had a slow start this year in his return from a torn ACL that caused him to miss the entire 2024 season. He has recorded 18 total tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, three quarterback hits and one forced fumble in 2025 so far.
Still, he is just over one season removed from recording 8.0 sacks in 2023 and should continue to improve the further removed he is from the injury. Las Vegas is not in a position to contend and should be looking for a Day 3 pick for the 27-year-old pass rusher. These three teams make sense.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have made it clear that they are looking for a pass rusher. In fact, they reportedly attempted to acquire a different Raiders defensive end, as rumors emerged that they tried to trade for Maxx Crosby.
While Las Vegas, rightfully, shut that request down, they should be far more willing to part with Koonce, who would also cost Dallas a lot less. The Cowboys have three fifth-round picks -- and six total Day 3 picks -- in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Raiders would be wise to see if they could poach one of those fifth-rounders.
RELATED: Raiders' Pete Carroll just sent a not-so-subtle message to Chip Kelly
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are also reportedly in the market for a pass rusher despite ranking second in the league with 28 sacks. Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad have combined for 13.0 sacks, however, the latter is playing just 46.1% of the defensive snaps, while the rest of their defensive line has not given them much production.
Detroit has been linked to bigger names such as Trey Hendrickson, however, he seems unlikely to be moved as he is currently sidelined and the Cincinnati Bengals are still looking for a first-round pick in return. The Lions have five Day 3 picks -- two fourth-rounders and one in each of the final three rounds. The Raiders should try to pry one of the earlier picks in return for Koonce.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have seen their defensive line depleted by injuries, as Nick Bosa, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Mykel Williams are all on injured reserve, and Bryce Huff has also been sidelined. Bosa and Williams won't return this season, as they both suffered torn ACLs.
The 49ers have been in the market for a pass rusher, as they are averaging the fewest sacks per game this season. San Francisco is yet another team that has been linked to Hendrickson, but are unlikely to land him. They hold five Day 3 picks -- four fourth-rounders and one sixth-rounder -- and the Raiders could try to get them to part with one of the earlier picks for Koonce.
