Back in the late summer of 2025, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah pulled off a swap. The Vikings QB trade involved moving Sam Howell to the Eagles. Doing so meant moving off the young journeyman in favor of added draft resources while then pivoting toward Carson Wentz .
The cost of doing business was some pick shuffling. A trio of draft selections got exchanged within the broader trade, with a pair coming over to the Twin Cities and a single going with Howell to the City of Brotherly Love. Some of the results of those picks have fully crystallized due to the 2026 NFL Draft finishing off.
Consider the precise details of the trade (with a tip of the cap to PFR ):
| Vikings Receive |
Eagles Receive |
|---|---|
| 5th-Round Selection (2026) |
QB Sam Howell |
| 7th-Round Selection (2027) |
6th-Round Selection (2026) |
Obviously, there's an ongoing degree of uncertainty for the final results of the trade since 2027 hasn't yet arrived. The likeliest scenario involves the Vikings picking someone in the 7th who is a fringe player for the roster, but that's not a foregone conclusion. Every so often, a 7th turns into a stud, so stay tuned.
Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Howell (8) looks over the offense against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
What is known is how those 2026 draft picks got used. Start off with the Philadelphia end of things.
The Eagles opted to ship out Minnesota 's 6th — the No. 211 pick — within a different trade. By the time the dust settled, the Ravens had opted for punter Ryan Eckley of Michigan State. Curious readers can note that Philadelphia included that 6th in a swap involving Jaire Alexander .
Using that 5th that came over from the Eagles meant choosing CB Chuck Demmings, a corner who is fast, physical, long, and chatty. The precise selection arrived at No. 163. If, in the end, Minnesota picked a reasonably promising CB3, then the selection was a huge success.
Check out the Lance Zierlein scouting assessment : "Demmings is capable of mixing into a variety of coverages but is at his best starting from a press look. He has the hips/feet to match route breaks and the speed to stay with routes as they unfold. His recognition and instincts are average from off coverages and he can be a step slow to drive on throws in front of him. While Demmings lacks ideal play strength and is not a firm tackler, his ball skills and man-cover consistency could land him a roster spot as a future CB4 with gunner potential."
The idea of working into multiple forms of coverage is a good insight. And, more importantly, Demmings has described his own background working from within multiple different defenses since he had several defensive coordinators. Brian Flores likes to be multiple, so Demmings boasting past experience doing a variety of different things makes the partnership sensible enough.
So, too, is it encouraging that Demmings is a long-and-strong corner who can run with receivers who have track-star speed. Last season, the Vikings turned to Jeff Okudah to be the CB3 with size, the one who got added to wrestle with bully receivers out wide. The hope is that Demmings can become that corner in Minnesota, the one who gets flexed out to the boundary to slow down players such as Mike Evans , Christian Watson , D.K, Metcalf, and so on.
Going into 2026, James Pierre looks like the one who will get tasked with that assignment. An ideal world sees Chuck Demmings becoming that player, possibly as early as 2027.
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks defensive back Charles Demmings (21) intercepts a pass as Jacksonville State Gamecocks take on Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks during the FCS Kickoff at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Jacksonville State Gamecocks lead Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 21-17. © Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK
Meanwhile, Sam Howell is moving through his long journey. He was a backup for a season with the Eagles but is now a backup with the Cowboys. His career stops going into his fifth NFL season :
Mr. Howell is good enough to keep getting chances but not so good that teams aren't willing to move on; he shows enough promise to get acquired but not so much promise that he can't be allowed to leave. The Vikings fit the pattern, seeing enough in him to welcome him to town before moving on with the trade that's being explored in these words.
As the 2026 season gets closer, the Vikings QB trade will see the results play out. Most notably for the Vikings is the addition of Chuck Demmings. Seeing the new corner become a huge success will mean that Adofo-Mensah did fantastic in one of his final trades as the Vikings' GM.
