Summarize the latest trends with a deadline in two weeks

“Evans started two games as a rookie in 2022 and 15 last season, but he is now buried on the depth chart behind veterans Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaquill Griffin,” Seifert wrote. “At 6-foot-4 and 198 pounds, he has the size that teams covet at the position. The Vikings don't necessarily want to move him, and he could be elevated due to injuries, but right now that's not the case. “There's no clear path for him to get on the field.

The Vikings also have veteran Fabian Moreau and rookie Dwight McGlothern on the roster, so they wouldn't completely deplete their depth if they trade Evans. Another name in the same boat, suggested by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, is LB Brian Asamoah II. Like Evans, he is a 22nd draft pick who is not playing and could potentially draw interest.

According to Titans reporter Buck Reising, despite trading Hopkins and Jones after falling to 1-5, Tennessee has “no plans” to trade Pro Bowl defensive player Jeffery Simmons. If the Vikings were to make a big splash before the deadline, Simmons felt like someone to at least keep an eye on. The Vikings could really use a game-winning interior pass rusher, and Adofo-Mensah and Titans GM Ran Carthon are close from their time together in the 49ers' front office. That was never a likely possibility, but it's especially far-fetched if the Titans want to keep Simmons.

If the Vikings pursue a cheaper defensive tackle, ESPN's Ben Solak names the Broncos' DJ Jones as a player they should target.

“Jones has been a handy player for a good Broncos defense so I'm not sure how available he is at the moment – but he's a veteran in the final year of his contract so he's worth calling. Vikings fans are hoping for Jeffery Simmons or Dexter Lawrence II, but Jones would give them the sturdy, reliable nose tackle play they need at a fraction of the cost.”

Personally, I don't know if Jones really makes sense for the Vikings. They have Harrison Phillips at nose tackle and Jonathan Bullard is also a solid run-stuffer. If anything, they appear to need a pass-rushing DT who is an upgrade to (or at least a complement to) Jerry Tillery and Jihad Ward. This isn't Jones' game. Denver has two of them – Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers – who would be big additions, but both have contracts through 2025. Plus, at 4-3, the Broncos aren't exactly a team you'd expect to sell.

A rumor circulated online on Tuesday that the Vikings were interested in trading for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, but the person who posted it on social media is not a reporter and has no track record of breaking news. For a variety of reasons this doesn't happen. And if you want further confirmation of this, here you go:

Also on Tuesday, we reported the news that insider Darren Wolfson believes the Vikings could be in for a “pretty big” breakthrough before the deadline, which would potentially include moving next year's first-round pick.