The Minnesota Vikings took a big risk earlier this offseason when they released veteran running back and four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook for the purpose of saving cap space.
The 28-year-old was a model of consistency in Minny, exceeding 1,100 yards rushing in each of the previous four seasons. But despite helping the Vikings to 13 wins and an NFC North division crown, Cook was released and spent two months on the open market before finally signing with the New York Jets.
25-year-old Alexander Mattison sits atop the Vikings’ RB depth chart, with sophomore Ty Chandler and ex-Miami Dolphin Myles Gaskin behind him. But what if Minnesota decides to add a more established veteran to help out the ground game?
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine proposed one NFL trade for all 32 teams to make before the regular season kicks off next week. For the Kansas City Chiefs, Ballentine suggested they trade running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to Minny:
“With Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon taking over clearly defined roles down the stretch for the Chiefs last season, it’s hard to find a role for Clyde Edwards-Helaire…
Still, Edwards-Helaire has a first-round draft pedigree and can do some damage as a receiver out of the backfield. The Chiefs had him playing multiple receiver positions the week of practice leading up to the Super Bowl before he was a healthy scratch.
The Vikings are one of the few teams who could still add a back to their offense. With Dalvin Cook gone, they’ll be relying on Alexander Mattison to shoulder most of the workload. But there’s room for someone like CEH to work as a third-down back.”
Kansas City drafted Edwards-Helaire 32nd overall in 2020. He showed promise as a rookie by compiling 803 rushing yards and 1,100 yards from scrimmage in 13 games, but the LSU product has seen his role and playing time reduce considerably over the last two years.
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CEH certainly would benefit from a fresh start, and a team in win-now mode like the Vikings make perfect sense for him.
