Ears around the NFL are perking up as the Nov. 10 trade deadline gets closer.

Returning from its bye this week, Minnesota has games versus Indianapolis, at Detroit and against Buffalo before final calls are conducted. Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and General Manager Nolan Teasley are working daily to build the best 70-man roster (including 17 practice squaders) for this iteration of the Vikings, and they're open to doing business if it helps the organization in the short term.

It must make sense for the long term, as well, and O'Connell on Wednesday noted the importance of protecting draft capital so that Teasley can put his imprint on the future.

"I know he's really excited about where we're at as a team right now, but if there's a chance for us to get better, if there's a chance for us to improve our team, we're going to have those conversations; we have and we will continue to as that deadline kind of approaches," O'Connell said. "But also — it feels crazy to say this as the coach — I want to make sure that we're as smart as possible just because I have so much confidence in what that group and Nolan, specifically, are going to be able to do when it comes time to add to our team in the offseason."

That delicate balancing act is integral to sustained success and pursuit of championships. It's why there's so much intrigue during this part of the calendar, and why it's valuable to be aware of which teams may be buyers or sellers and what players are possible targets or fits.

Daniel Popper of The Athletic added to the buildup with a "Big Board" of players he thinks are candidates to be traded. His ranking included 50 in total from 15 different clubs. We grouped them by position and highlighted the ones Popper identified as fits for the Vikings.

Defensive line (10): Jeffery Simmons; DeForest Buckner; Vita Vea; Moro Ojomo; Daron Payne; Grover Stewart; Roy Lopez; Zach Sieler; A'Shawn Robinson; Dalvin Tomlinson

EDGE (10): Tuli Tuipulotu; Alex Highsmith; Khalil Mack; Josh Sweat; YaYa Diaby; Will McDonald IV; Nolan Smith; K'Lavon Chaisson; Jermaine Johnson II; Dorance Armstrong, Jr.

Wide receiver (7): Josh Downs; Jauan Jennings; Chris Godwin; Jerry Jeudy; Calvin Ridley; Brian Thomas, Jr.; Joshua Palmer

Running back (5): Jonathan Taylor; Alvin Kamara; Kenny Gainwell; Tyjae Spears; Tony Pollard

Safety (5): Derwin James; Amani Hooker; Budda Baker; Elijah Molden; Andre Cisco

Cornerback (4): Amik Robertson; Riq Woolen; Donte Jackson; Nahshon Wright

Linebacker (4): Jordyn Brooks; Daiyan Henley; Cody Barton; Troy Dye

Offensive line (3): Quenton Nelson; Landon Dickerson; Ben Bredeson

Quarterback (1): Mac Jones

Tight end (1): Dallas Goedert

We should note that Popper included Jauan Jennings as a fit for his former team, San Francisco, which has suffered a string of injuries at the WR position. There is no indication, however, that Minnesota wants to part ways with Jennings, who has played well in the run phase; coaches and teammates believe he is on the cusp of a breakout in the pass game.

Click here to dive into Popper's story and read about the 14 players he linked to Minnesota.

Full-circle football journey

Tom Moore considers himself "the most fortunate guy God ever created."

For 60-some years, the Minnesota native has coached football. He doesn't plan to stop.

"God willing, I'm going to keep going until I drop dead and they carry my rear end out of here. Boots first, like one of those old Westerns," the 87-year-old remarked to the Star Tribune's Mark Craig.

Craig traveled to Iowa City in early October to catch up with Moore, who is coming home this weekend for Iowa's matinee Saturday at Minnesota. Moore is in his first year as a senior consultant and offensive advisor for the No. 15-ranked Hawkeyes.

It's a full-circle stop for the former Gophers assistant (1972-73, 1975-76) and Vikings assistant (1990-93), who has enjoyed stints with nine NFL clubs and five college programs.

Moore's accomplishments are well documented and highly respected. He has four Super Bowl rings and tutored elite quarterbacks such as Terry Bradshaw and Peyton Manning; he recruited Tony Dungy to play for the Gophers; and he helped Tom Brady win his seventh and final Super Bowl with Tampa Bay. Most impressive, however, is the journey and the passion.

Craig chalked up Moore's newest role as "a twist of fate" that came together because of Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz's admiration for Moore, Moore's connection to Iowa (where he played, as well) and his wife Emily's "selfless love for her football-obsessed husband."

Below is an excerpt from Craig’s story, detailing what happened when Emily suffered a stroke on Oct. 22, 2025.

Moore, in his sixth season as an offensive consultant for Tampa Bay, flew from a Monday night game in Detroit to his home base in Charlotte to be by Emily's side. For all intents and purposes, he was retired the moment he first saw Emily lying in intensive care.

"I would have given her zero chance she was going to make it," Tom Moore said. "It wasn't pretty. But I really believe God saw her and then He saw me and He said, 'It ain't time to take her because this guy can't make it by himself.' I don't even know how to pay a water bill. She does it all."

Emily recovered from her stroke. In the process, a spot was found on her lung. Cancer.

"Just a little detour along the way," Emily says by phone from North Carolina. "I'm fine now. And I didn't want Tom to change anything. Football is his job. Football is his hobby. Football is his love and passion. And football is his calling. That's the best way I can describe Tom."

View the Vikings 2026 Schedule.

Check out the Vikings current 2027 NFL Draft Selections.

Look ahead to the Vikings 2027 Opponents.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.

Learn about the 2028 NFL Draft in Minnesota.