Monday, March 11, 2013
Fallout from the Harvin trade
By Tim Kavanagh
Well, that sure got out of hand quickly, didn't it? After it was reported that the Minnesota Vikings were looking into some offers to trade WR/returner Percy Harvin -- with Seattle one of the interested suitors -- Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported quickly thereafter that a deal had been done: Harvin was heading to Seattle, with draft picks coming Minnesota's direction. So how does this change the Vikings' offseason plans?
We've yet to see the entire package of draft picks headed Minnesota's way -- ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports that it's expected to include Seattle's first-rounder (No. 25 overall) -- but it's all but certain that they'll now be bigger players on the free agent market when it comes to WRs. Previously linked to Mike Wallace only in speculative fashion, they could emerge to make a more significant play for the soon-to-be former Steeler. Closer to home, they had already been linked to Green Bay's Greg Jennings, and that idea will obviously gain more steam with the Vikings' newly enhanced need at the position.
Another idea: the Vikes could make a move to poach RFA Victor Cruz from the Giants, seeing as they'll have some extra picks with which to play this offseason. Giving up their first-rounder to nab Cruz might not be a bad idea. Failing all of the above-mentioned moves, Minnesota could move on Josh Cribbs, a dangerous return man who has been clamoring for more opportunities on offense in recent seasons; in Minnesota, he'd have little competition on the depth chart.
Looking ahead to the draft, it's become much more likely that Minnesota will use an early-round pick (or two) on a prospect at WR. Whether that includes their first-rounder may be determined by what they're able to do in free agency beforehand.
