There’s an awful lot to glean from the Vikings trading Yannick Ngakoue.
Minnesota acquired the defensive end in a trade with Jacksonville just before the season. The Vikings ended up giving him to the Ravens for less than what they gave to the Jaguars, basically.
That’s a sign that the team is rebuilding as opposed to retooling.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Vikings are sellers, but the team is not having a fire sale, per se. Here’s what else Breer said:
“They’ve let teams know they’ll listen on anyone, which is how Thursday’s Yannick Ngakoue deal came about. They’re open for business on guys in contract years, and teams have asked on veteran TE Kyle Rudolph (who isn’t in a contract year) as well. Pat Elflein, a 2017 third-round pick who has been a disappointment, could be another name to watch, with lots of teams hungry for O-line help. And Tajae Sharpe is one more name that I’ve heard out there.”
Sharpe is a surprising one, but maybe some teams will take a chance on his upside. Pat Elflein and Kyle Rudolph aren’t shocking names to be out there, though, despite inconsistent play. With guard Ezra Cleveland and tight end Irv Smith Jr. in the waiting, you could rationalize both decisions.
