Vikings' offense could reach scary new heights with one bold trade
No NFL team needed a Week 6 bye like the Minnesota Vikings this year.
The Vikings just played their first game of October without quarterback J.J. McCarthy, right tackle Brian O’Neill, linebacker Blake Cashman, edge Andrew Van Ginkel, left guard Donovan Jackson, center Ryan Kelly, and running back Aaron Jones; that’s 32 percent of the team’s starting lineup from the season-opener at Chicago.
At this point, for Kevin O’Connell and crew, it’s a lot more about the Jimmys and Joes than the Xs and Os. The Vikings have been so banged up to start the season, it’s hard to evaluate where they stand through five games.
One position group that’s been under the microscope since training camp is receiver.
Minnesota has the luxury of Justin Jefferson, but the production behind him has been unreliable, at best. Jordan Addison has been in and out of the lineup due to off-field issues. Tight end T.J. Hockenson is averaging a career-low 8.1 yards per reception. Rookie Tai Felton is only playing on special teams. Summer acquisition Adam Thielen looks lost in Year 12 of a long NFL career.
Jefferson has been carrying the Vikings’ entire passing game, accounting for 40 percent of the team’s receiving yards, 30 percent of the targets, and 30 percent of the total receptions.
However, things shake out at quarterback with McCarthy and veteran Carson Wentz, the Vikings could be facing some tough conversations at the trade deadline if their skill position group continues at its current pace.
The Jefferson-Addison duo is as good as it gets in the NFL, but Addison hasn’t exactly been a model of consistency to start 2025, and as good as Jefferson is, he’s going to need some help.
Las Vegas Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers should top list of 2025 trade deadline targets for Minnesota Vikings
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers requested a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders back in August, and according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, his name will be one to watch again at this year’s deadline.
“The Raiders and Meyers couldn't reach a deal before Week 1 despite his trade request, and with the Raiders sitting at 1-4, interest in the player could tick upward. Anyway, there will be much movement leaguewide, and I suspect enough interest in the receiver position to forecast a move or two.”
Meyers, 28, checks a lot of boxes as a potential midseason trade target for the Vikings. He’s seen 62.8 percent slot usage in 2025, per Pro Football Focus, but he played mostly on the outside as a fringe WR1 for the Raiders in 2023 and 2024.
He’s coming off the first 1,000-yard receiving season of his career, and he’s highly motivated as a former undrafted rookie playing on an expiring contract.
The slot has been a weakness of the Vikings' passing game to start the season, with Jalen Nailor, Thielen, and Hockenson combining for 207 pass snaps from that alignment, per Pro Football Focus; that trio has combined for 315 total receiving yards and two touchdowns in five games.
It’s easy to see the Raiders moving Meyers, potentially for a swap of 2026 Day 3 draft picks. Their receiving corps includes some intriguing young talent in Tre Tucker, Dont'e Thornton Jr., and Jack Bech.
Meyers himself has ticked down from his usual high-end production with Geno Smith under center, with 25 receptions for 290 scoreless yards on the year.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might not love the idea of swapping draft capital for another wide receiver, especially for a potential short-term rental. But Meyers could end up being the impact addition the Vikings hoped they were getting with Thielen back in August.
BREAKING: Colts' Kenny Moore just struck a nerve with his brutally-honest injury comments
The Indianapolis Colts' defense has been able to survive so far without slot corner Kenny Moore II. Moore is one of the best players at his position in the NFL, but Indy has played a couple of teams with dud offenses. That is unlikely to change in Week 6.
The Arizona Cardinals, even if quarterback Kyler Murray plays (he is questionable with a foot injury), haven't been explosive or productive this season. Murray can run around the pocket extremely well, but he seems incapable of consistently leading his team to loads of points.
Indianapolis' Moore won't face Murray and the Cardinals, though, as he has been ruled out for the third straight game with an Achilles injury. In his place will likely be Chris Lammons, and that's fine in a pinch. Eventually, Moore is going to be needed, but sitting out now is maybe better for the season overall.
Indianapolis Colts will need Kenny Moore II before the season is over
Moore understands that, too. According to Joel A. Erickson of the Journal and Courier, the cornerback said, "It’s so delicate of an injury, and an area to have such an injury, there’s such pressure in that spot. It’s just all hands on deck to try to get me back out there. I’ve got to do all I can from a player standpoint to get back out there...Physically, I’m getting there."
The cornerback also confirmed that mentally, he is fine, too. He doesn't like being forced to sit out games, but rushing back could only make his injury worse, and that could cost him the rest of the season. The player and the Indianapolis Colts don't want that.
To be fair, Moore could probably miss a couple more games, and Indy would probably be OK. In Week 7, Indianapolis plays the Los Angeles Chargers, who are scuffling a bit offensively (LA is 26th in the NFL at 19.6 points per game). In Week 8, the Colts play the weak Tennessee Titans again.
After that, however, things begin to get much tougher for Indianapolis defensively. From Week 9 onward, Indy will face a bunch of teams with good offenses, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans (twice), Kansas City Chiefs, and Jacksonville Jaguars (twice).
Before the season is over, the Indianapolis Colts are going to need Kenny Moore II, and need him to stay healthy. It is better to have him out now and back ready to go by Week 9. The Colts have a great chance at a playoff push and a run once there, and Moore will be needed to be a part of that.
