The Minnesota Vikings traded pass-rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles on the second night of the 2026 NFL draft in a move that should serve every party involved.
“Trade! The Vikings are sending edge Jonathan Greenard to the Eagles for two third-round draft picks, sources say,” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported via X on April 24. “Minnesota gets No. 98 overall and a 2027 3rd [round pick], while Philadelphia gets Greenard and [pick] No. 244.”
The Eagles have already agreed to a new deal for Greenard, which tallies $100 million over four years. Meanwhile, the Vikings saved $12.25 million in salary cap space for the 2026 season and $15.7 million in 2027 via the trade.
Minnesota will not need to use any of that money to pay for a Greenard replacement in the starting lineup, as the team drafted one in the first round two years ago in the form of Dallas Turner.
Dallas Turner Should Step into Starting Pass-Rusher Role After 2 Years as Rotational Player
Heavy on VikingsEdge-rusher Dallas Turner of the Minnesota Vikings.
Turner, the No. 17 overall pick two years ago out of Alabama, has two years plus a club option remaining on his $16 million rookie contract.
During the 2025 season, Turner put up 15 QB hits, 11 tackles for loss, eight sacks, four forced fumbles and three pass breakups across 10 starts (17 game appearances). He added 42 QB pressures and 27 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.
Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro during his first campaign with the Vikings in 2024, also remains under contract in Minnesota through 2026.
Vikings Fortify Defensive Front With D-Tackle Caleb Banks
GettyThe Minnesota Vikings selected defensive tackle Caleb Banks out of Florida with the No. 18 overall pick in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL draft.
The team added help along the defensive line with the No. 18 pick in Round 1 on Thursday evening by drafting defensive tackle Caleb Banks out of Florida.
Some consider Banks a reach in the middle of the first round, including ESPN’s draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.
“Banks was No. 62 on my board, the biggest stretch of the night,” Kiper wrote. “Banks can stop running backs in their tracks, and he gets enough interior push to be a factor in the pass rush. He moves well for a 6-foot-6, 327-pounder. But he has been dealing with a foot injury for a while now, and he just had surgery on it after the combine. A lot of risk here, even if Banks healthy and at his best can shore up the interior.”
Banks sent a letter to NFL teams ahead of the draft indicating that he will be ready to engage in offseason work by June, according to his doctors.
Kiper added that Minnesota passed on safety Dillon Thieneman out of Oregon at No. 18, allowing the NFC North rival Chicago Bears to select him there.
The Vikings added linebacker Jake Golday out of Cincinnati with the No. 51 pick in Round 2, adding depth at another position of need. However, Minnesota headed into Round 3 on Friday night without having acquired a defensive back in a secondary that needs help at multiple positions whether star safety Harrison Smith returns next season or decides to retire.
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