It’s trade prediction season, and even after already making a pair of moves, the Minnesota Vikings continue to be mentioned as potential buyers at the deadline.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was able to add running back Cam Akers and offensive tackle Cam Robinson last month without burning any of his top 2025 draft assets. Could he stay active next week in an attempt to add on defense?
One popular position the Vikings are projected to address is cornerback. Young Carolina Panthers star Jaycee Horn, Los Angeles Rams veteran Tre White, and two-time Super Bowl champion Jonathan Jones of the New England Patriots have all been linked to Minnesota as potential deadline deals.
NFL writers Matt Verderame and Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated recently added Greg Newsome II of the Cleveland Browns to that list.
The Vikings are currently projected to have four selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, including a third-round compensatory pick for Kirk Cousins. Two of those picks are fifth rounders, and SI predicts Minnesota will use one of them to acquire Newsome.
Here’s their take on a potential deal:
The Vikings’ stout defense was a big reason why the team jumped out to a 5–0 start before losing the past two games. But Brian Flores’s defense is allowing 263.3 passing yards per game, one of the downsides of being a blitz-heavy team. Perhaps the Browns are ready to break up their talented secondary amid a losing season and salary cap issues. Newsome, a 2021 first-round pick, can play on the inside and outside. He would help improve Minnesota’s pass defense, which would allow Flores to continue being an aggressive play-caller.
Newsome was a first-round pick of the Browns in 2021. He’s only 24 and is under contract through 2025 after Cleveland picked up his $13.3 million fifth-year option.
Newsome’s name has come up often in trade rumors, as many thought he’d be moved prior to the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s been used in a hybrid role for the Browns this season, often lining up as their slot corner. His versatility could be useful for Minnesota, as the cupboard is bare behind starters Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin and Byron Murphy Jr.
The Vikings will need to address their cornerback situation this offseason, with a goal of bringing in some young talent. It’s possible they see some short- and long-term upside in Newsome.
His two career interceptions in 49 games, though, and lack of a clear role in Cleveland could be red flags for a team that’s been holding onto its remaining 2025 draft assets tightly.