Vikings Mock Trade: The last undefeated NFL team says ‘why not us’, adds a star player and new dimension to chase a Super Bowl

The Vikings lead the NFL in wins, and their stellar defense needs a splashy offensive addition to balance out the load. The Colts have just the player…

The Vikings are 7-0, and they’ve gotten there with an offense that resembles the kid on the group project who is just happy to be along for the ride. I don’t think it’s been all bad by any means. But it’s clear that this unit hasn’t carried the team. That’s been the defense.

Let’s try to balance that out by sending Jonathan Taylor to the last lossless team in the NFL in a blockbuster trade deadline move. Here’s why I would push my chips in on this move if I was in charge of the Vikings.

Why the Vikings should go all in

Quarterback Kyler Murray got knocked out, came back in, and still feels like he’s a little bit late to the party. Minnesota has also dealt with injuries to WR Justin Jefferson and in the running back room. The injured Aaron Jones isn’t thought to be dealing with anything more than a day-to-day issue, but nobody knows how banged up he truly is or if he’ll ultimately be available this week.

So I want to add a dimension to this offense and see if it maximizes Murray’s arm and legs. We saw him use those legs on a big play against the Colts this past week. A true workhorse in the backfield should only open things up further.

Meanwhile, the defense is still doing the heavy lifting. When was the last time a defensive unit and a defensive play caller carried the reputation that Brian Flores and this group have right now? They are the Baba Yaga, the Bogeyman, the John Wick of the league. Every team is terrified to face them, and that’s the kind of thing that wins in December and January.

With that kind of cushion already built, the Vikings have to be operating with a “why not us?” mentality. That’s exactly when you push your chips in to add a dimension to your offense like this.

What would Jonathan Taylor cost Minnesota?

It’s not cheap, because Taylor is that good. In my proposal on the A to Z Sports trade simulator, the Vikings send the Colts a 2027 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.