What would it cost for the Vikings to trade for Anthony Richardson?

[ASFN Admin]

The Minnesota Vikings set out to improve their quarterback room this offseason. They signed Kyler Murray early in free agency and then brought back Carson Wentz as well. The idea was that, even if they suffer injuries at quarterback again, the backup situation will be much better than in 2025.

Right now, the Vikings are still trying to sell the public on a quarterback competition between Murray and incumbent J.J. McCarthy. While there are reports that McCarthy has improved, it is still widely believed to be Murray's job to lose.

That could influence several moves at the backup quarterback position. Not only could Minnesota mull McCarthy's future, but they could also look to acquire another quarterback project to sit and learn behind Murray and Wentz.

With reports surfacing that the Indianapolis Colts and 2023 Anthony Richardson mutually agreed to seek a trade, could the Vikings try to acquire the former fourth-overall pick? Moe Moton of Bleacher Report believes the asking price for Richardson could be a Day 3 pick.

It's worth noting that The Athletic's James Boyd reported that "questions still remain" about Richardson's recovery from an orbital fracture from last October.

Of course, if other clubs have concerns, Richardson's trade value would take a significant hit.

On the other hand, Richardson is a former first-round pick who's only 24 years old and came into the league with just one full year of collegiate starting experience out of Florida.

Richardson still has room for growth. In two years as a starter, he had some flashes, throwing for 2,400 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and rushing for 634 yards and 10 scores, but he lacked efficiency with a 50.6 percent completion rate.

At 6'4", 244 pounds, Richardson is a unicorn at quarterback in terms of physical stature. A team may look to acquire him as an intriguing project who has untapped potential.

Estimated trade value: 2027 fifth-round pick

Moton doesn't mention the Vikings when speculating on Richardson's trade value, but Minnesota does make sense. There were reports before the 2023 draft that the Vikings wanted to trade up from pick 23 to get Richardson.

Obviously, that never happened, and it was probably a good thing Minnesota couldn't facilitate that trade. But a fifth-round pick for a former top-5 pick sounds like the exact kind of move Kevin O'Connell would love to make.

Would new general manager Nolan Teasley be as high on this trade as former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah? Throughout his tenure, Adofo-Mensah was willing to move draft capital for former first-round picks who never lived up to their hype.

It will be interesting to see whether Teasley does the same or holds on to the picks to make his own selections in the future. Richardson could be available, and it will be up to several teams, including the Vikings, to determine whether or not they should take a flyer on the fourth-year QB.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: The Vikings could acquire Anthony Richardson at a value

Continue reading...