Minnesota moved down from No. 148 in the 2014 draft,…
Minnesota moved down from No. 148 in the 2014 draft, receiving picks No. 168 and No. 225 from Carolina. The Panthers selected cornerback Bene Benwikere, while Minnesota later moved No. 168 to Atlanta and used No. 225 on Jabari Price. Benwikere's 27 games and 14 starts for Carolina give the Panthers the better return.
Carolina Panthers Received
- pick 2014 5th round pick (148th overall, Bene Benwikere )
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2014 5th round pick (168th overall; subsequently traded to Atlanta, Marquis Spruill )
- pick 2014 7th round pick (225th overall, Jabari Price )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Minnesota traded pick No. 148 to Carolina during the 2014 draft and received picks No. 168 and No. 225. The Panthers used No. 148 on cornerback Bene Benwikere. Minnesota later traded No. 168 to Atlanta in a separate deal and used No. 225 on cornerback Jabari Price. Keeping the later Atlanta exchange separate is important because the value created there belongs to a distinct transaction rather than this one.
Minnesota Vikings Return
Minnesota's direct player return was Price, who appeared in 14 games for the Vikings and did not make a start. Pick No. 168 still had value as an asset, but Minnesota moved it again instead of selecting a player with it. That choice created another transaction and should not be credited here as if the eventual Atlanta selection were a direct product kept by Minnesota. The Vikings gained flexibility, but their realized value from this exchange was limited.
Carolina Panthers Return
Benwikere gave Carolina more substantial immediate value. He played 27 games for the Panthers and started 14, contributing in the secondary during his first two seasons. A fifth-round cornerback who earns regular starts is a successful late-round outcome. His Carolina tenure was not lengthy enough to make the trade a major win, yet his playing time and role clearly exceeded the direct Minnesota contribution produced by Price.
Value in Hindsight
Trade-downs are often attractive because they create multiple chances, but those extra chances still have to become useful players or assets. Minnesota did preserve value with the additional fifth-rounder, then chose to move it elsewhere. Carolina used the higher pick on a player who actually started games for the Panthers. When the separate Atlanta trade is kept distinct, Carolina's direct return is easier to recognize.
Final Verdict
Carolina wins, B- to C+. Benwikere's 27 games and 14 starts were the strongest direct result of the exchange. Minnesota received additional flexibility and some depth from Price, but not enough direct value to match the Panthers' starting cornerback contribution.