An outgoing Vikings trade, Javonte Williams to MIN, adding another defenseman

VikingsTerritory's Purple rumor mill is a two-day chronicle every week. All rumors of the week are collected with a lasso and placed in two places for verification – articles on Saturday and Sunday. Today is the November 3rd issue.

Purple Rumor Mill: An outgoing Vikings trade, Javonte Williams to MIN, adding another defenseman

Remember – rumors exist Rumors. What you read in these articles on weekends is what the world is talking about in relation to the Vikings, and not necessarily things that come to fruition.

Here is the second batch of the week. You can read yesterday's post here.

Rumor: The Vikings could trade linebacker Brian Asamoah in the next few days.

Brian Asamoah could obviously be fired.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler included Asamoah's name along with several others in a trade speculation article this week, stating: “Veteran Buffalo safety Mike Edwards is available and would like to go somewhere he can play (he has been consistently inactive). In a similar situation is Washington's Darrick Forrest, a former starter who is no longer on the roster and could use a fresh start elsewhere. Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah II, a former third-rounder who made no impact in Brian Flores' defense, is also a trade candidate.”

Sending Asamoah elsewhere for a fresh start makes perfect sense for several reasons. First of all, he doesn't play defense. The Vikings rotate off-ball linebackers Blake Cashman, Kamu Grugier-Hill and Ivan Pace Jr. on Sundays, leaving Asamoah on the sideline.

And last year, when former Viking Jordan Hicks struggled with compartment syndrome and was out for a month, Minnesota did everything it could not to bring Asamoah onto the field by subbing in Troy Dye and bringing in Anthony Barr.

Minnesota could likely select Asamoah in the 7th round. Stay tuned.

Rumor: Minnesota could or should trade a seventh-rounder to Denver for Javonte Williams.

Per SI.comshould the Vikings carry out one third to trade for Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams before the NFL deadline of November 5th. This site's Matt Vederame theorized trades for every NFL team, and for the Broncos, the deal included a seventh-round pick from Minnesota for Williams, a running back on an expiring contract.

“The Broncos are fighting for a playoff spot and deserve praise. However, Denver is not a contender and the running back room has been weak all year. Meanwhile, the Vikings are in action for the NFC North and rely heavily on Aaron Jones to carry the ball,” Vederame explained.

These are the Vikings RBs:

• Aaron Jones
• Ty Chandler
• Cam Akers
• Myles Gaskin (practice squad)
• Zavier Scott (practice squad)

Verderame added: “Jones, 30, has been great, but Ty Chandler is a mediocre replacement. “The move makes sense for both sides.”

Williams recorded 345 rushing yards on 90 carries in 2024 (3.8 yards per rush), with 27 receptions for 174 yards. He also scored 2 touchdowns.

Fans would be happy with this move if it came to fruition.

Rumor: The Vikings could make a low-risk trade for Raiders DT Adam Butler.

Accordingly CBS SportsMinnesota should obviously also aim to improve at defensive tackle and negotiate a deal for Las Vegas Raider defensive back Adam Butler. This is Tyler Sullivan's latest and greatest idea.

“The Vikings have already filled a key offensive need by acquiring Cam Akers in a deal with the Houston Texans. However, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has not shied away from making deals throughout his tenure, so these may not materialize. One area they could strengthen is the defensive line with the Raiders moving on Adam Butler,” Sullivan wrote this week.

Sullivan added: “The 30-year-old had a relationship with defensive coordinator Brian Flores when he was the de facto DC with the Patriots and then signed with the Dolphins in 2021 when Flores was head coach.”

A deal for Butler would make sense if the Vikings did it not when Jerry Tillery is on the roster or when a guy like Jonathan Bullard is out injured. Otherwise, Butler is a mediocre contributor, as evidenced by his contribution Professional football focus resume:

If acquired, Butler would likely join the Vikings and sit on the bench until an injury occurs.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube channel. VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis and opinion on all things purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Guilty Pleasures Performed: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, “The Sopranos,” Basset Hounds and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA just as closely as he follows the NFL.

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; All contract information from OverTheCap.com.