Which player would you take from each rival in the Vikings division?

Things have been a bit slow lately and I apologize. But we’re still in the middle of the week of rivalry (or weeks, as it also extends to the week ahead) among the SB SB nation’s blog family, so here’s a little experiment I wanted to run with you. all.

If you could take one player from each of the Minnesota Vikings’ NFC North rivals and add them to the current list, who would you go with?

I’m trying to think about it and not settle for something like, “Well, I’ll just take Aaron Rodgers.” (At this point, I’m not taking Rodgers on Kirk Cousins ​​anyway … yeah, I said that.) I’m trying to find players at positions that would be significant improvements to the Vikings list where they could use the most.

Here are my choices, as well as an honorable mention from each team. Your mileage, as always, may vary.

Chicago Bears – Akiem Hicks, DT

The Vikings have their replacement Linval Joseph at the point of nose attack with Michael Pierce, but the point with three techniques is an important hole at this stage. Enter Hicks, who, as we all saw in the 2018 game between the bears and the Vikings at Soldier Field, alone is capable of destroying opposing offensive lines and making life miserable for quarterbacks and offensive coordinators. Placing it next to Pierce would give the Vikings a pair of exceptional athleticism in the defensive interior to complement Danielle Hunter at the limit.

Honorable mention – Cody Whitehair, OL

I’m old enough to remember when people thought Whitehair was going to flop because he hadn’t developed the bench in Scouting Combine enough. (Because it’s, like, super important.) As it stands, it would be an immediate upgrade to anywhere inside the offensive line.

Detroit lions – Kenny Golladay, WR

We all hope for the best of Justin Jefferson, of course, and I think he will be able to step in and contribute immediately. However, Golladay would provide an excellent complement to Adam Thielen and would allow Jefferson to work mainly out of the slot as part of his development process. Golladay would be able to provide a deep threat to help dissipate some of Adam Thielen’s warmth, and has probably not yet reached its full potential.

Honorable mention – Taylor Decker, OT

Another offensive lineman gets an honorable mention here, as there are many people who seem to want to leave Riley Reiff. Decker would also give the Vikings the opportunity to develop Ezra Cleveland rather than immediately throw it into the fire.

Green Bay Packers – Jaire Alexander, BC

The Vikings are going to rely heavily on the youth at the corner position this year, and they could use someone who has some experience in the NFL and can compete with the best receivers from other teams. Alexander has the ability to do this and could also help guide the young back half of the Vikings.

Honorable mention – David Bakhtiari, OT

The offensive line goes to 3 for 3 in the honorable mentions, not because I do not think the offensive line is a need, but rather because I think that the players I have chosen on each team meet needs more pressing. Bakhtiari has been considered one of the best offense tackles in the league for some time and would obviously be of great help in the Vikings’ offense.

And you? If you could remove a player from each of the Vikings’ NFC North rivals and bring them to Minnesota, who would you take?