SKOR North recently discussed a hypothetical trade that would land another young, promising corner in Minnesota.
ESPN’s Field Yates recently suggested a trade that involved the Vikings giving left tackle Riley Reiff to the Chargers for cornerback Desmond King II. Minnesota would pay $3.8 million of Reiff’s 2020 base salary in the hypothetical deal.
First, Phil Mackey on SKOR North’s Purple Daily addressed why that trade might not be the best idea:
“Offensive line and cornerback are the two areas of biggest need for the Vikings right now,” Mackey said. “I don’t know if you would be moving the needle as a team if you’re trading your starting left tackle, who’s not a super star, but he’s a solid starting left tackle, for a slot cornerback. I would need some more convincing on that front.”
Mackey said that he doesn’t want the Vikings to trade their starting left tackle, but he thinks a different move for King would still be good:
“But imagine going into the season right now, and Mike Hughes being your most established and credible cornerback? He was a first-round pick and he’s shown some flashes but we don’t know a lot about what he can do as the guy. But Desmond King would be instantly the most credible and I would say experienced cornerback in your bag. And you wouldn’t then have to rely on Gladney necessarily to step in right away.”
Judd Zulgad added that Hughes has had his share of injuries.
That obviously makes Hughes’ huge role somewhat of a gamble if there are not great corners behind him.
I think much of this will depend on just how quick of a study left tackle Ezra Cleveland is. If Cleveland is ready to go, the Vikings could make a move like this.