Miami Dolphins–Minnesota Vikings Trade History

Minnesota acquired veteran cornerback Dick Westmoreland from Miami in May 1970 for guard Bookie Bolin. Westmoreland had been a productive Dolphins defender, but Minnesota released him before the regular season. Bolin’s NFL career had effectively ended after the 1969 season, so Miami also received no on-field return. With neither incoming player producing regular-season value for his new club, the exchange finishes essentially even.

Miami traded Hall of Fame center Jim Langer to Minnesota on September 24, 1980 for 1981 and 1982 draft picks that became Fulton Walker and Bob Nelson. Walker developed into an excellent Dolphins return specialist and later scored a 98-yard kickoff-return touchdown in Super Bowl XVII. Nelson did not stick in Miami, but Walker's value gives the Dolphins a respectable return despite surrendering a legendary veteran.

Minnesota acquired Miami's NFL rights to Anthony Carter in August 1985, sending linebacker Robin Sendlein and a 1986 second-round pick that later became Kevin Murphy after further movement. Carter immediately became a premier Vikings receiver and stayed through 1993, producing 7,635 receiving yards for Minnesota. That sustained star-level return makes this a decisive Vikings victory.

Miami moved down two spots in the first round of the 1987 draft, sending No. 14 to Minnesota for No. 16 and a fifth-round choice. The Dolphins turned those picks into defensive end John Bosa and receiver Kitrick Taylor. Bosa supplied 7 sacks in 31 NFL games, while Taylor had a modest pro career, leaving Miami with useful but limited value from the extra capital.

Minnesota acquired veteran guard Greg Koch from Miami on October 20, 1987, for sixth- and tenth-round selections in the next two drafts. Koch immediately started six games for a Vikings team that reached the NFC Championship Game. Miami used the picks on George Cooper and Greg Ross, neither of whom produced a regular-season NFL career. Minnesota received timely line help at a very small cost and won the exchange.

Minnesota moved down one spot in the first round of the 2004 draft, sending Miami pick No. 19 for Nos. 20 and 119. The Dolphins selected tackle Vernon Carey; the Vikings chose defensive end Kenechi Udeze and running back Mewelde Moore. Carey had the longest starting career, but Minnesota received two useful players from the exchange.

Miami acquired Daunte Culpepper from Minnesota for the 51st pick in the 2006 draft while Culpepper was still recovering from a devastating knee injury. He started only four games for the Dolphins, throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions before the experiment ended. Minnesota used No. 51 on Ryan Cook, who became a versatile offensive lineman and made 40 career starts, giving the Vikings useful value while Miami absorbed one of the era's most costly quarterback misses.

Miami and Minnesota swapped Benny Sapp for Greg Camarillo just before the 2010 season. Sapp played all 16 games for the Dolphins that year, recording 35 tackles, 10 passes defended and two interceptions. Camarillo gave Minnesota two seasons of receiving depth and caught 29 passes for 361 yards. Both clubs received useful short-term role players without a major long-term difference.

Miami paid a 2016 sixth-rounder plus 2017 third- and fourth-round picks to move up for Leonte Carroo at No. 86. Carroo caught only 12 passes for 192 yards in three Dolphins seasons. Minnesota kept trading the acquired capital, turning it into multiple later opportunities instead of one player. The Vikings' return was indirect, but the amount of usable draft value clearly surpassed Miami's result.

Miami moved back ten spots in the sixth round and added Jakeem Grant at No. 186, sending Minnesota No. 196 and No. 227. Grant became a dangerous return specialist and useful receiver for the Dolphins. Minnesota turned the two incoming choices into Stephen Weatherly plus part of the package used to move up for tight end David Morgan.

Miami acquired guard Danny Isidora from Minnesota on the eve of 2019 final roster cuts for a 2020 seventh-round selection. Isidora gave the Dolphins inexpensive interior-line depth and saw meaningful action during the season. Minnesota recovered a future late-round asset for a player outside its core plans and later moved that selection again, but Miami received the clearer direct playing contribution from the original exchange.