The post-draft period will no doubt see a number of NFL veterans finding new homes, on the free agent and trade markets. The Vikings will be a team to watch with respect to the futures of key contributors on both sides of the ball. 
Minnesota will listen to trade offers on running back Dalvin Cook and edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, as noted (on Twitter) by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Both players have been mentioned in trade talk, leading to speculation that they could be on the move this offseason in the event their respective financial situations could be sorted out.
Cook emerged on other teams’ radars when general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah came short of guaranteeing he would be in the Vikings’ plans for 2023. The Dolphins emerged as a potential landing spot for the Miami native, though they have re-signed all four running backs they had last season in free agency and added a rookie (Devon Achane) at the position as well.
Adofo-Mensah recently left the door open to both Cook and backup Alexander Mattison staying together next season, but the latter could provide a cost-effective replacement option for Cook if he were to be dealt. The Vikings have also added DeWayne McBride in the seventh round of this year’s draft, giving the team added depth in the backfield.
Cook, 27, only has guaranteed money on his deal in 2023, but is set to carry cap figures between $14.1MM and $15.6MM in each of the next three seasons. As Breer notes, a re-worked contract would be needed to lower those figures and make a trade possible. Trading the four-time Pro Bowler would yield considerable cap savings both before or after June 1.
Dealing Smith after that date would also result in notable breathing space for the Vikings. The 30-year-old made it clear last month that he wanted to be released, a development which was understandably met by the team with a response indicating they would not grant that request. Smith appeared to have a deal in place to return to the Ravens last offseason, but he backed out of it to sign a three-year pact in Minnesota instead.
If he were to agree to a re-worked contract, Smith could generate trade a market for his services given his continued production (including 10 sacks last season and a third career Pro Bowl nod). Minnesota did not draft any edge rushers this weekend, which could give them added reason to keep Smith. They will entertain offers, though, which could result in a notable move or two in the near future.
The Vikings will trade both for a bunch of late round draft picks. That way they can avoid drafting top notch young playmakers like they just got done doing in this draft!!
That 7th round draft pick DeWayne McBride is a steal dude. The guy was an animal with the Blazers.
Leading rusher in the FBS
Sounds good now – but it all depend on how it equates to the Pros. Sometimes a guy looks like a can’t miss stud and they end up being the leading rusher on the practice squad for years. Probably very running back but BiJan and Gibbs are not sure bets
The Vikings will let them walk and get nothing.
The mark on Kwesi is loser and the Vikings will be regular season contenders and playoff failures.
Man the Vikings haters out in full force. The Vikes should definitely get what they can for Dalvin, he’s only going to decline and isn’t worth the money. Smith they should try to figure out some compromise to keep him happy, he will be a beast in Flores’s system.
Vikings will be happy to have DeWayne McBride. The dude should had been a day 2 pick. What a steal.
Zadarius for Bateman. Who says no?
Dalvin for Cedric Wilson of the Dolphins and a pick
Cook showed some signs of slippage last year, but he’s probably still a year or so away from hitting the proverbial “wall” that most running backs hit around age 30.
As for Smith, he had a respectable number of sacks last year but his back problem seems to be just one play away from recurring.