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This page lists all the 2023 Trades for the Minnesota Vikings. I’ve listed all of the NFL Free Agent Signing Grades here, which included the trades. Because I’ve begun posting polls for the trades, I thought it would make sense to list just the NFL trades here, so archiving the voting would be easier.
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- Total Trades: 4
- Average Grade: C+ (78.5)
October 2023 – Trades and Signings
Jaguars acquire G Ezra Cleveland from Vikings for 2024 6th-round pick
I missed this trade from Tuesday, as it was buried within the other deals. However, it’s a significant one, as the Jaguars were able to obtain a much-needed offensive line boost for pennies on the dollar.
Ezra Cleveland is a talented blocker. He excels in both pass protection and run blocking. He’s also just 25, so there’s a lot of room for growth. Getting him for just a sixth-round pick to boost Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne’s blocking was a major steal.
The Jaguars won this trade by a mile. I don’t know why the Vikings gave away such a talented, young blocker for next-to nothing.
Grade for Jaguars – A+
Grade for Vikings – D
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Vikings acquire QB Joshua Dobbs from Cardinals for swap of 2024 6th- and 7th-round picks
Some would disagree with this because team records can mean everything to some, but I thought this version of the Vikings was better than the 2022 team that went 13-4. The difference has been the defense, which has improved markedly under Brian Flores. Jordan Addison also helps as having a second dynamic weapon in the passing game.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, they lost Kirk Cousins to a torn Achilles. There were some wild projections for what the Vikings could do to replace Cousins. Asking Tom Brady to come out of retirement was even mentioned. However, this was probably the best Minnesota could do, as Dobbs is a solid, veteran backup quarterback. Dobbs is an intelligent passer and can scramble out of pressure. He had some nice moments in Arizona, but was surrounded by mostly garbage. Things will be different in Minnesota. Dobbs will have the support of a terrific offensive line and two game-breaking receivers once Justin Jefferson returns from injury. And, as mentioned, the defense is playing at a high level, so Dobbs won’t be in a position where he’ll have to do everything like he did in Arizona.
I think this is a terrific trade for the Vikings. Dobbs can be a quality game manager, and he comes at a very cheap price. A swap of late-round choices will probably be meaningless, so there’s no risk to this deal.
As for the Cardinals, it makes sense to trade Dobbs. They want to see what they have in Clayton Tune, and Kyler Murray is due back soon anyway.
Grade for Vikings – A+
Grade for Cardinals – A-
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September 2023 – Trades and Signings
Vikings acquire RB Cam Akers from Rams for swap of 2026 draft picks
When Cam Akers was a healthy scratch Week 2, many assumed that he would be traded. That turned out to be the case, as the Rams dealt him to Minnesota. In doing so, they picked up a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Vikings received a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in addition to Akers.
I’d give the Rams a slight victory in this trade. It makes sense that the Vikings would want to obtain a running back to contend with the fumble-prone Alexander Mattison, but with there being so many viable options available on the open market, I don’t know why it was necessary to trade a draft resource. That said, swapping a sixth with a seventh isn’t a big deal. Also, Akers has the potential to be an upgrade over Mattison, but he also has an extensive injury history.
The Rams, meanwhile, were free to trade Akers because Kyren Williams has emerged as a quality player. With Akers relegated to the bench, it made sense to move him for a resource.
Grade for Vikings – B
Grade for Rams – A-
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May 2023 – Trades and Signings
Browns acquire DE Za'Darius Smith, 2025 6th-, 7th-round picks from Vikings for 2024 & 2025 5th-round picks
You’d think the Browns would have possessed a great pass rush in recent years because of Myles Garrett’s presence, but that hasn’t been the case. No one has been able to generate pressure on the quarterback aside from Garrett, so this trade can’t be too surprising. Za’Darius Smith logged 10 sacks last year, so he will be a viable bookend for Garrett. He’ll certainly help Cleveland improve defensively and potentially reach the playoffs. Smith is just a 1-year rental with an expiring contract, but the Browns didn’t surrender much in this trade.
As for the Vikings, this is definitely a disappointing development and an obvious ramification of Kirk Cousins’ horrible contract. The Vikings needed to shed some salary, so at least they’re able to upgrade two late-round selections into a pair of mid-round picks. That said, Smith’s departure will really hurt a defense that was already poor against the pass.
Grade for Browns – A
Grade for Vikings – C-
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