{"id":857203,"date":"2026-04-06T17:13:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T17:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/857203\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T17:13:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T17:13:18","slug":"vikings-could-make-major-trade-for-all-pro-dt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/857203\/","title":{"rendered":"Vikings Could Make Major Trade for All-Pro DT"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Dexter\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka explained the absence of All-Pro Dexter Lawrence in overtime vs. the Detroit Lions.<\/p>\n

The Minnesota Vikings<\/a> are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with a need for an interior defensive lineman.<\/p>\n

They\u2019ve been heavily linked to most of the class\u2019s top prospects at the position. Kayden McDonald, Caleb Banks, and Dominique Orange are just a few examples. They\u2019ll be looking for a running-mate next to breakout star Jalen Redmond.<\/p>\n

In a Monday-morning shocker, one of the league\u2019s best at the position made himself available. Could the Vikings be in a position to strike a deal?<\/p>\n

Dexter Lawrence Demands Trade from New York Giants\"Minnesota<\/p>\n

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA \u2013 DECEMBER 28: Dexter Lawrence #97 of the New York Giants warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> at Allegiant Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter broke the news<\/a> on\u00a0X,\u00a0as he routinely does.<\/p>\n

\u201cESPN sources: Giants All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade and he will not be participating in the team\u2019s off-season workout program that opens Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Lawrence and the Giants have been through two off seasons attempting to negotiate a contract reflecting his value to the Giants over the last three years, but there has not been any progress, per sources.\u201d<\/p>\n

Schefter adds some more context on to the money Lawrence is owed and his internal displeasure with the Giants.<\/p>\n

\u201cDexter Lawrence has two years remaining on his deal and is currently scheduled to make $20 million this upcoming season. Initially there had been optimism that with changes in the organization, discussions could move forward. <\/p>\n

But now that they haven\u2019t, new Giants head coach John Harbaugh will open his team\u2019s off-season program Tuesday without one of his best players.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Vikings\u2019 current cap situation makes a maneuver for Lawrence very difficult. Nonetheless, the NFL is truly unpredictable. Using the 18th overall selection in a potential deal with New York would absolutely be warranted and worthwhile.<\/p>\n

Lawrence would no-doubt be an instant difference-maker on an already league-top Minnesota defense. He would fit what the Vikings like to do well, and would free up even more space for Minnesota\u2019s pass rush to do what they do best; terrorize opposing QBs.<\/p>\n

Vikings Eyeing Nigerian NFL Draft Prospect at Defensive Tackle Uar Bernard\"Minnesota<\/p>\n

GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS \u2013 OCTOBER 15: Defensive coordinator Brian Flores of the Minnesota Vikings reacts against the Chicago Bears<\/a> during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on October 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Bruce Feldman of\u00a0The Athletic<\/a>\u00a0introduced Uar Bernard<\/a> to the American football world.<\/p>\n

\u201cJordan Luallen trained some of the most freakish athletes at the 2026\u00a0NFL<\/a> combine. A 245-pound edge rusher who vertical-jumped 41 inches, a jumbo wide receiver who ran a 4.3 40, and a 293-pound defensive tackle who ran 4.8.<\/p>\n

But Luallen told The Athletic he\u2019s never seen an athlete like the one he\u2019s been training for the past 10 weeks for this year\u2019s NFL draft. Uar Bernard (pronounced \u201cooh-are\u201d) measured in earlier this week at the NFL\u2019s HBCU showcase at 6-4 1\/2, 306 pounds with 11-inch hands and almost 36-inch arms.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0Ryan Fowler<\/a>, the Vikings are 1 of 6 NFL teams to show interest in Bernard. The Cowboys<\/a>, 49ers, Eagles, Chiefs, and\u00a0Commanders<\/a>\u00a0are the other clubs to express interest in hosting Bernard for a visit.<\/p>\n

Janik Eckhardt<\/a>\u00a0of\u00a0PurplePTSD\u00a0and\u00a0Vikings Territory\u00a0added some insight regarding the trajectory of Bernard in the NFL.<\/p>\n

\u201cBernard is a project that will likely take years to provide a return on investment, if he ever can. Yet, teams often spend their later draft picks on players with potential rather than selecting pro-ready athletes. Bernard fits that mold, though perhaps a little more extreme than usual.\u201d<\/p>\n

And another snipped from Feldman about Bernard\u2019s freakish athleticism:<\/p>\n

\u201cOther people who have spent their lifetimes in football say Bernard looks like a Marvel creation. Bernard\u2019s body fat: 6 percent. He vertical-jumped 39 inches and broad-jumped 10-10, which was 14 inches more than any other defensive tackle did at this year\u2019s combine. His 40-yard dash: 4.63.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to predict where Uar Bernard will land in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, the Vikings may have some opportunities with their 5 selections in rounds 5-7.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBrevan Bane<\/a> Brevan Bane is a sports scribe covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals. Brevan began his writing career by making a platform on Twitter and leveraging his presence into writing and content creation opportunities for outlets like PurplePTSD, Vikings Territory, The Noise, Hockey Wilderness, and the VikesNow YouTube channel. You can follow him on X @brevmanbane. More about Brevan Bane<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Vikings\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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