It appears the Minnesota Vikings are throwing in the towel on the 2020 season, while the Baltimore Ravens just added a big piece to an already strong defense and a potentially big target for Lamar Jackson.
The Vikings have traded DE Yannick Ngakoue to the Ravens for a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2022. The Ravens also announced they have signed former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant to their practice squad.
Ngakoue was just acquired a few weeks ago by the Vikings (for a 2021 second-round pick and 2022 conditional fifth-round pick) from Jacksonville. The Vikings now get most of that back, but it seems unlikely this will be their final move before the trade deadline.
In Ngakoue, the Ravens get a star defensive end to bolster their defensive line for a potentially deep playoff run. In six games this season, Ngakoue has logged 12 tackles, five sacks and forced two fumbles. In four-and-a-half-years in the league he has recorded 42.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, and 117 solo tackles.
Dez Bryant hasn’t taken a snap in an NFL game since the end of the 2017 season, but has 531 career receptions including 73 touchdown catches and would be a much-needed big target to add to Lamar Jackson’s toolbox. Bryant’s signing is still pending a workout and physical but is expected to be made official shortly.
Baltimore currently sits at 5-1 (2nd in the AFC North) and Minnesota is 1-5 (last in the NFC North). Both teams are on a bye week and will not play this weekend.
