As we enter Week 5, some NFL teams could be ready to become "sellers", getting rid of players before the trade deadline to free up cap space heading into the 2027 offseason. Other teams will be "buyers", seeking help to bolster rosters for a potential postseason run.
The Minnesota Vikings are one of three teams at 4-0, and they may be looking to address needs at running back or interior offensive line. But, like any acquisition in any market, finding someone to fill those needs will come with a price.
Right now, the Vikings have eight draft picks in the 2027 draft. But the team needs an influx of young talent, and parting with picks may be the only way to acquire a new player.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes Minnesota could use fourth-year
linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. as a valuable trade asset, as his role on the defense has shrunk in recent years.
While Pace was also a prominent contributor in his second season, he's slowly fallen out of the defensive game plan. He made just six starts in 2025, and he's only occasionally seen the field this season.
Pace has appeared in all three games but has played nearly twice as many special-teams snaps (76) as defensive snaps (40).
Keeping Pace as depth in Brian Flores' defense would make some sense. However, he's playing on a one-year deal, and Minnesota could save more than $3 million by trading him. Pace should draw some interest from teams in need of linebacker help.
On the surface, the logic is hard to fault. Pace has slipped down the depth chart and was replaced by Eric Wilson in 2025. The Vikings also drafted Jake Golday in the second round of April's draft, seemingly eyeing a future role for the Cincinnati linebacker.
But Pace has still played in four games. He played a season-low five snaps on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, but Pace took at least ten snaps in each of the first three games. Even if he isn't as good in coverage as Wilson or Blake Cashman, Pace still knows Flores' defense and would provide a buffer when Golday isn't ready to be thrust into action.
Minnesota could be active as the trade deadline approaches. I'm just not sure Pace is a guy they are willing to part with to improve other areas of the roster.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Who is the Vikings' most 'sensible' trade asset right now?
