Vikings trade back plans may involve Sammy Watkins

January 25, 2014; Honolulu, HI, USA; Minnesota Vikings mascot Viktor the Viking (left) signs an autograph for Vernon Mitchell (right), Kaneohe, HI, during the 2014 Pro Bowl Ohana Day at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said he’d love to trade back from the No. 8 pick in the draft, assuming the right deal is presented. For this scenario to pan out, the right player must also still be available after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pick at No. 7.

This player may be wide receiver Sammy Watkins and the Vikings could be targeting teams in need of a wide receiver as draft day dance partners.

Some mock drafts have the the Bills at No. 9, the Rams at No. 13, the Steelers at No. 15, the Jets at No. 18, the Chiefs at No. 23, the Panthers at No. 28 and the Broncos at No. 31 all addressing the wide receiver position in the first round of the draft.

If Watkins falls to the No 8 spot a couple of those teams may consider a trade, especially if they fear the Bills would take him at No. 9. Depending on which way the Rams and the Steelers go, the Jets, Chiefs and Panthers may be the teams most likely looking to trade up. All three have solid defenses but need some serious upgrades on offense.

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