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The land beyond the great E$PN paywall has given us a lot to chew on over the past couple of weeks, and their latest story gives us another tidbit relating to the Minnesota Vikings.
In their article about “Eight NFL trades that should happen,” the folks from Bristol suggest that the Vikings should be interested in dealing defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd. Their targets for him are the Oakland Raiders and the Washington Redskins, and they apparently feel that either of those teams would be willing to give up a third-round draft choice for him.
Here’s what they have to say about the proposed deal:
The Redskins and Raiders both need immediate help for their defenses as they try to help out their high-powered offenses. Both made aggressive moves in free agency last offseason. An NFL team's analytics director thought Seattle also could make sense for Floyd, who was chosen 23rd overall in 2013. The Seahawks do own three third-round picks, giving them ample ammo, but they also have other needs and lots of money already invested in their defensive core.
Floyd is going into the option year of his rookie contract, and is scheduled to make $6.75 million this coming season. Nobody really knows what happened with Floyd last season. He played in the season-opening victory over the Tennessee Titans, had what was called a routine knee scope. . .and then proceeded to be inactive for the next twelve games before the team (finally) placed him on injured reserve in mid-December.
Throughout the course of the season, head coach Mike Zimmer didn’t seem terribly impressed with Floyd’s recuperative abilities, and publicly stated as much on several occasions. Floyd has been a good defensive tackle when he’s been on the field, but the injury this past season may have left a sour taste for some members of the team and/or coaching staff.
I don’t know if either the Raiders or Redskins (or anyone else, for that matter) would feel compelled to give up a third-round draft choice for a guy that’s in the final year of his contract. But, if they could, do you think the Vikings should accept such a deal for Floyd?