The Minnesota Vikings are evaluating potential roster upgrades with the NFL's Nov. 10 trade deadline approaching.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and General Manager Nolan Teasley are balancing immediate needs against long-term plans, according to the team's official website.
Following their bye week, the Vikings face Indianapolis, Detroit and Buffalo before the deadline, giving them a limited window to assess possible personnel moves.
The organization is building a 70-man roster that includes 17 practice squad players while preparing for both the remainder of the season and future additions.
O'Connell addressed the trade strategy on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of balancing short-term improvement with the team's offseason plans.
"I know he's really excited about where we're at as a team right now, but if there's a chance for us to get better, if there's a chance for us to improve our team, we're going to have those conversations; we have and we will continue to as that deadline kind of approaches," O'Connell said.
"But also — it feels crazy to say this as the coach — I want to make sure that we're as smart as possible just because I have so much confidence in what that group and Nolan, specifically, are going to be able to do when it comes time to add to our team in the offseason."
The Athletic's Daniel Popper has identified 50 potential trade candidates from 15 NFL teams in a player ranking.
The Vikings' website highlighted candidates whose positions and potential availability could align with Minnesota's needs.
Potential Trade Candidates by Position
The defensive line list includes Jeffery Simmons, DeForest Buckner, Vita Vea, Moro Ojomo, Daron Payne, Grover Stewart, Roy Lopez, Zach Sieler, A'Shawn Robinson and Dalvin Tomlinson.
Potential edge defenders include Tuli Tuipulotu, Alex Highsmith, Khalil Mack, Josh Sweat, YaYa Diaby, Will McDonald IV, Nolan Smith, K'Lavon Chaisson, Jermaine Johnson II and Dorance Armstrong, Jr.
Wide receiver candidates are Josh Downs, Jauan Jennings, Chris Godwin, Jerry Jeudy, Calvin Ridley, Brian Thomas, Jr., and Joshua Palmer.
The running back group includes Jonathan Taylor, Alvin Kamara, Kenny Gainwell, Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard.
Other names on the board include safeties Derwin James, Amani Hooker, Budda Baker, Elijah Molden and Andre Cisco; cornerbacks Amik Robertson, Riq Woolen, Donte Jackson and Nahshon Wright; and linebackers Jordyn Brooks, Daiyan Henley, Cody Barton and Troy Dye.
The offensive line candidates are Quenton Nelson, Landon Dickerson and Ben Bredeson.
Mac Jones is the lone quarterback on the list, while Dallas Goedert is the only tight end.
Popper identified Jennings as a potential fit for San Francisco, his former team, which has experienced multiple injuries at wide receiver.
However, the Vikings' report said there was no indication Minnesota wanted to move Jennings, who has performed well as a blocker in the running game.
Coaches and teammates believe he could soon make a significant impact as a receiver.
Tom Moore Returns to Minnesota with Iowa
Separately, veteran football coach Tom Moore is returning to Minnesota this weekend for Iowa's Saturday afternoon game against the Gophers.
The Minnesota native, 87, is serving his first season as a senior consultant and offensive advisor for the No. 15-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes.
Moore previously worked as an assistant coach at Minnesota in 1972-73 and 1975-76 and with the Vikings from 1990-93.
His career has included nine NFL teams and five college programs, four Super Bowl rings and work with quarterbacks Terry Bradshaw and Peyton Manning.
He also recruited Tony Dungy to Minnesota and helped Tom Brady win his seventh and final Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.
In an interview with the Star Tribune's Mark Craig, Moore described his determination to continue coaching despite his age and personal challenges.
"God willing, I'm going to keep going until I drop dead and they carry my rear end out of here.
Boots first, like one of those old Westerns," Moore told Craig.
Craig visited Moore in Iowa City in early October to discuss his career and return to Minnesota.
Moore's current position followed a long coaching journey and a difficult period involving his wife, Emily, who suffered a stroke on Oct.
22, 2025.
Moore was working as an offensive consultant for Tampa Bay when he flew from a Monday night game in Detroit to Charlotte to be with his wife in intensive care.
He recalled fearing that she would not survive.
"I would have given her zero chance she was going to make it," Tom Moore said. "It wasn't pretty.
But I really believe God saw her and then He saw me and He said, 'It ain't time to take her because this guy can't make it by himself.'
I don't even know how to pay a water bill. She does it all."
Emily recovered from the stroke, and doctors subsequently found cancer in her lung.
She later described her condition and explained why she wanted her husband to continue coaching.
"Just a little detour along the way," Emily said by phone from North Carolina. "I'm fine now.
And I didn't want Tom to change anything. Football is his job.
Football is his hobby. Football is his love and passion.
And football is his calling. That's the best way I can describe Tom."
