The Minnesota Vikings are sitting at 5-0, but that perfect record hasn’t covered up every crack. The offense is still working through some growing pains, and while the defense has been one of the league’s best, the depth behind it could become a problem if injuries start to hit.
That’s what makes a possible trade for an edge rusher worth talking about.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently laid out a list of trade candidates and what they might cost, and one name that jumps off the page for Minnesota is Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack. Knox suggested Mack could be had for a fourth-round pick and made the case with some pretty direct language: "Chargers pass-rusher Khalil Mack retains the top spot on our list, which should surprise no one.
Los Angeles fell to 0-5 on Sunday, while Mack continues to be a legitimate difference-maker. Mack has logged three sacks, 15 tackles, five tackles for loss, and 10 quarterback pressures.
He's also playing on a one-year deal and should be interested in playing for a team that could get him his first career playoff win. . . Mack should be the top target for any team with Super Bowl aspirations that happens to need help rushing opposing passers.
It'll be a fairly significant surprise if he remains in Los Angeles beyond next month's deadline."
Minnesota has already gotten a breakout from Dallas Turner, and Kyle Van Noy has brought a steady veteran presence. Andrew Van Ginkel is still in the mix as well. But even with those pieces in place, a low-cost addition like Mack would give the Vikings another proven pass rusher for a potential run at the Super Bowl.
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