Several veteran wide receivers are looking for a new contract or a trade, but names like Tee Higgins and Brandon Aiyuk pale in comparison to Justin Jefferson. An unquestioned top-five receiver in the game, the LSU product could end up being the highest-paid non-quarterback in football. The wide receiver position has never been more important than in today’s pass-happy NFL, especially for the Vikings. With Kirk Cousins gone, the team will select a new quarterback, and they’ll need to surround that prospect with weapons if they want him to succeed.
Despite all this, Minnesota has yet to sign their star wide receiver to a long-term deal. The three-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his contract and should easily eclipse Tyreek Hill’s $30 million per year deal he signed after his trade to the Miami Dolphins. With the receiver market continuing to rise, Pro Football Talk‘s Mike Florio says the Vikings should trade Justin Jefferson immediately if they can’t come to terms on a new deal.
Mike Florio: Vikings Should Trade Or Pay Justin Jefferson Now
Florio makes a compelling argument for a Justin Jefferson trade in his latest article. The NFL insider notes that “months of negotiations” have seemingly gone nowhere, and that the Minnesota Vikings are “exasperated” by the contract discussions. Later on, Florio goes so far as to name two specific trade packages.
The clock keeps ticking. The draft is coming. Could the end result be Jefferson plus the 11th pick to the Commanders for the Jayden Daniels pick? Jefferson plus No. 11 to the Patriots for No. 3?
It’s hard to see the Washington Commanders agreeing to a Justin Jefferson trade, as the team is reportedly in love with Jayden Daniels and already has two reliable receivers. The Patriots, however, are a different story. If they don’t love Drake Maye, then they could trade back and settle for someone like Washington’s Michael Penix. Or, perhaps they use the 11th-overall pick to trade up and get J.J. McCarthy. The team could have Drake Maye higher on their board, but is Maye better than McCarthy and Justin Jefferson?
If the Vikings trade Justin Jefferson, they should have no shortage of suitors. While Minnesota probably wants to use Jefferson to directly select their quarterback, they could also deal him for draft picks which they could later trade for a franchise quarterback.
Other Possible Trade Destinations
Los Angeles Chargers
The most obvious fit on this list, the Los Angeles Chargers will not be selecting a quarterback with the fifth-overall pick. What they do need, however, is a wide receiver. Justin Jefferson is a perfect trade target, as he can provide Justin Herbert with a much-needed reliable set of hands. Chances are, Los Angeles could trade the fifth-overall pick for Jefferson and the 23rd-overall selection, so Jim Harbaugh will still have a chance to improve the offensive line in the first round.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals need a wide receiver and have the inside track for Marvin Harrison Jr. While all signs point towards the Ohio State product being an immediate contributor, there is no such thing as a can’t-miss prospect. A Justin Jefferson trade would give this team a guaranteed star, although they would have to pay top dollar for his continued services.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers might not have the resources to pull off a Justin Jefferson trade. Seeing as they don’t have a first-round pick, they might not be able to make an offer Minnesota would accept. However, if they get creative, this fit would make perfect sense. Carolina added plenty of offensive talent in free agency, but they’re still missing that game-changing playmaker. Just like how A.J. Brown helped Jalen Hurts, Justin Jefferson can help elevate Bryce Young into a legitimate franchise quarterback.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are losing one LSU wide receiver to free agency, so they might as well replace a former great in Odell Beckham with a current superstar. The Ravens will probably need to give up a bit more than just their first-round pick in a Justin Jefferson trade, but that could be a price worth paying. While there are a few holes on this roster, they won’t matter, since nobody will be able to keep pace with Lamar Jackson throwing to Jefferson, Mark Andrews, and Zay Flowers.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs need another wide receiver, especially if they release Rashee Rice. Patrick Mahomes looked mortal during parts of the 2023 regular season in large part because he didn’t have reliable weapons. While Marquise Brown is a significant upgrade on Marquez Valdes-Scantling, this team needs more than just the deep threat. A Justin Jefferson trade should once again make this team the most feared offense in the NFL and will only increase their odds of winning their third Super Bowl in as many seasons.
Main Photo: Jamie Germano – USA Today Sports
