The Vikings' planned blockbuster sends star Panthers to Minnesota on time

An NFL writer is talking about a potential blockbuster deal between the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers.

Last weekend, CBSSports.com's Cody Benjamin called for the Vikings to sign star Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn for two 2026 draft picks – a second and a conditional fourth.

Minnesota's recent trade for left tackle Cam Robinson did little to sway Benjamin's opinion.

On Halloween, he went back to the well and linked the Vikings to a player who has been making waves in the NFL as the November 5th trade deadline approaches.

“Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has done an admirable job of addressing gaps while retaining premium draft capital,” Benjamin wrote, “and ensuring that the Vikings' surprisingly competitive team remains in the NFC North. Hunt remains.” Horn would represent a bolder swing that would likely require a higher pick or two, but the Carolina Panthers have not yet locked up their former first-rounder, and his long-term upside would be welcome in an aging, struggling Vikings cornerback room. “

Horn's age, potential and contract make him an attractive option for the Vikings, but do they have the cap space and draft capital to realistically make a deal at this year's trade deadline?

Vikings current salary cap situation

The Vikings are currently ranked 32nd in the NFL in 2024 after taking on a portion of Robinson's base salary following Tuesday's trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Minnesota only has $805,000 left, according to overthecap.com, and while that number can be manipulated in a number of ways, the Vikings would have trouble with it at the deadline under this hypothetical deal for Horn.

What would work in Minnesota's favor, however, would be Horn's fully guaranteed rookie deal. He was due $3.5 million in real money this season, and most of that sum was paid out in the form of an offseason roster bonus. If acquired via trade, Horn would be entitled to a prorated base salary of $620,000 for the remainder of 2024 before receiving up to $12.4 million in cash through 2025 via the fifth-year option.

Minnesota is cap hit in 2024 but is expected to have a ton of cap space in 2025 ($75 million, sixth-most in the NFL) and should be able to justify a trade with Horn on the contract side.

Vikings future draft picks

A lack of draft assets could be the main obstacle to this hypothetical deal happening, as the Vikings are down to one first-rounder, two fifth-rounders and a likely third-round compensatory pick in 2025. They currently have nine 2026 picks, but three of them are now conditional seventh-rounders.

Even with Horn's tantalizing talent, the Vikings are unlikely to make a move that depletes their 2026 draft board as they already lack 2025 draft picks.

Horn's potential is undeniable, but that potential doesn't get you anywhere in the NFL. Injuries prevented him from staying on the field, and yet he is still expected to receive a mega contract extension from Carolina in 2025.

This is a fun proposal for a Vikings team that could definitely use some young talent at corner, but there are probably too many hurdles for a deal to get done by Tuesday's deadline.

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