The Vikings' Roster Upgrade Wish List Ahead of the '26 Trade Deadline

Minnesota Vikings fan holds up a sign during a home game against the Chicago Bears. — A Minnesota Vikings fan raises a sign inside U.S. Bank Stadium during the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s regular-season matchup against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 31, 2017, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings closed the afternoon with home-field energy and postseason buzz around the building as fans saluted a division-winning team entering January. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

The Vikings’ roster isn’t perfect. It’s strong, but not perfect. Part of the problem has been injury, circumstances that open up needs that didn’t exist roughly a month ago.

Much of the focus in recent days has been on the possibility of seeing WR3 Jauan Jennings pried away. Maybe that happens. Regardless, the focus here is what the Vikings could desire if Nolan Teasley goes on a spending spree ahead of the November 10th NFL trade deadline. Consider some positions that stand out for the Vikings.

The Vikings’ Trade Deadline Wish List

No. 4 — A Depth Tight End

Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (84) stiff arms Green Bay Packers linebacker Jamon Johnson (48) on a first down reception during their football game Sunday, January 4, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. – Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Losing Josh Oliver for the season hurts. Few are as formidable when it comes to blocking.

The Vikings’ TE depth now leans on TE1 T.J. Hockenson, TE2 Gavin Bartholomew, and TE3 Ben Yurosek. Left untouched, that’s a crew that could get the job done. Where there’s some concern is if there’s another injury to arise. After all, the Vikings are currently working with a Hockenson who is in the concussion protocol.

Generally speaking, tight end isn’t a particularly difficult position to reinforce. Getting a high-end option like Arizona’s Trey McBride is very, very difficult. What’s not as difficult is getting a solid TE3 who can block reasonably well. The move here could be to take a wait-and-see approach, opting for value out of free agency if there’s a need.

However, the basic point remains that Oliver’s absence creates an opening. Tight end is a sneaky important job for the Vikings.

No. 3 — A Fantastic Free Safety

NFL: AFC Wild Card Round-Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens — Jan 11, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) runs against Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) in the second quarter in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images – Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Minkah Fitzpatrick has a history with Brian Flores that hasn’t always been positive. He is, nevertheless, a very good player on a very bad team. He’d be a dream addition.

What about Derwin James with the Chargers? Tony Jefferson? Others? Minnesota already has solid safety talent. What could be needed is a difference maker who can create fear in the opposition. Think someone on the level of Antoine Winfield Jr. and/or Fitzpatrick. These guys aren’t easy to acquire but they’re players who would make the Flores crew even more fearsome.

No. 2 — A Do-It-All iOL

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints — Oct 11, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) hands off to running back Aaron Jones (33) against New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Right now, the depth is holding. Joe Huber has done well at LG. Blake Brandel and Will Fries remain as the starters at C and RG.

What happens with another injury?

The in-house depth features Ryan Van Demark, Caleb Tiernan, Michael Jurgens, and Trevor Keegan. There are options. Better yet, the practice squad boasts the versatile Henry Byrd as an emergency option. The Vikings may yet need more, though, depending on the internal assessment of how reliable these guys are.

No. 1 — A Reliable, Versatile Running Back

Vikings RB Jordan Mason in 2025 — Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) runs the ball during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The Jordan Mason injury was revealing. Losing half of the Vikings’ two-headed monster means things get dicey.

The plan the whole way was to weather the storm across four games. Mason went to the IR following the Week 1 win, meaning Aaron Jones knew he had to be a workhorse from Week 2 through to Week 5. There would then be a bye in Week 6 and Mason’s return in Week 7.

The plan was reasonable; the plan worked.

What’s still clear, though, is that the RB3 job is important. Neither of DeeJay Dallas nor Demond Claiborne inspire huge optimism. Somebody like an Alvin Kamara would be ideal since that’s a player who can run and catch.

The Vikings’ offense isn’t putrid but still has unmet potential; part of the problem has been at running back. Teasley, a long-time executive in Seattle, knows how important a potent ground attack can be.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.