The Jacksonville Jaguars established themselves as a serious threat in the AFC after beating the Buffalo Bills in Week 5. The Jags showed in the 25-20 win that they have enough talent in place to toe with some of the best teams in the conference. Having said that, their roster could use some upgrades, especially if they're serious about making a playoff push. This is why they should get in touch with the Minnesota Vikings before this year's trade deadline.
The Vikes are 1-4 after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5. To make matters worse, they'll reportedly be without star wide receiver Justin Jefferson for an extended period of time. Without a favorable chance of making the playoffs in 2023, Minnesota's best course of action could be to be sellers before the deadline. Several players on their roster have trade value and could net them a solid return.
With that in mind, here are three Vikings players the Jaguars should inquire about before the deadline.
No. 3 Vikings player the Jaguars should target before the deadline: Andrew Booth, CB
Cornerback isn't a need for the Jaguars. In fact, you could make the case that it's a strength due to the presence of Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams, who's registered two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) in back-to-back games. That said, Jacksonville could bolster their depth at the position.
Veteran Tre Herndon's contract runs through 2023 and sophomore Gregory Junior, one of Jaguars most improved players, is currently on Injured Reserve. As insurance, the Jags could roll the dice on Andrew Booth Jr.
Booth, a second-round in last year's draft, hardly played as a rookie and missed a good chunk of the season with a knee injury. Things haven't been much better for the former Clemson Tiger in 2023. Although he's been active every game, he's played a total of four defensive snaps.
It's possible that last year's injury hindered Booth's development or maybe he's not part of the Vikings' long-term plans. Either way, he could be a nice reclamation project for the Jaguars.
No. 2 Vikings player the Jaguars should target before the deadline: Ezra Cleveland, LG
Even before the regular season started, left guard was deemed one of the Jaguars' biggest needs. However, the team's brass opted not to address the position because they were confident Ben Bartch would be ready for the opener.
Bartch dislocated his knee last year and spent the offseason recovering. Although he was in the starting lineup in Week 1, he struggled so badly that the Jags benched him in favor of Tyler Shatley and later Walker Little. Maybe Bartch wasn't fully healthy or perhaps he needed more time to shake off the rust. But regardless of the reason, Jacksonville must bolster the left guard position.
As noted before, Little, who moved from left tackle to guard, was given the nod in Week 5 but he suffered an MCL sprain and will miss several games. The Jags could go back to Shatley but they could also give the Vikings a call about Ezra Cleveland.
Cleveland, a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, had a hard time adjusting as a rookie but has turned the corner in 2023. So far, he's only given up one sack, and trading him would allow the Vikings to plug Dalton Risner in at left guard.
The fact that Cleveland is set to become a free agent in 2024 could incentivize Minnesota to trade him before the deadline and get something in return for him, maybe a fifth-round pick.
No. 1 Vikings player the Jaguars should target before the deadline: Danielle Hunter, OLB
This is arguably the trade that makes the most sense from the Jaguars' perspective and one that has been floated several times in the offseason and picked up steam when Danielle Hunter started following Jacksonville on Instagram.
Hunter has been one of the Vikings' few bright spots this season, logging six sacks and nine tackles for a loss. But in spite of his steady play, Minnesota is 1-4, so there's a strong chance that moving on from him won't move the needle. Keep in mind that the Vikes previously looked at their options, so it wouldn't be shocking if they decide to trade him before the deadline.
The Jags would be a logical suitor. As said before, Hunter was seemingly interested in landing in Jacksonville. The trade would also make sense because he would round out a pass rush that sorely lacks talent beyond outside linebacker Josh Allen. It's true that sophomore Travon Walker has made strides in 2023 but he still has a long way to go before he can become a legitimate threat.
By trading for Hunter, the Jaguars would get Allen a bookend pass rusher whom opposing teams would need to account for on every play. Also, Hunter would turn what seems to be a weakness into a potential strength. Given that the Vikings are expected to be in fire-sale mode, a third-round pick in 2024 could get a deal done.
Right now, Hunter has as many sacks as Allen (six) this season. Imagine if they played opposite each other, he could have tipped the scale in the Jaguars' favor in the losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans.