Minnesota moved up for kicker Daniel Carlson and also…
Minnesota moved up for kicker Daniel Carlson and also acquired Devante Downs, but Carlson was waived after two games and his later All-Pro success came entirely with Las Vegas. New York used Minnesota’s selections on Folorunso Fatukasi and Trenton Cannon. Fatukasi became a useful Jets starter, giving New York far more team-specific value from the exchange.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2018 5th round pick (167th overall, Daniel Carlson )
- pick 2018 7th round pick (225th overall, Devante Downs )
New York Jets Received
- pick 2018 6th round pick (180th overall, Folorunso Fatukasi )
- pick 2018 6th round pick (204th overall, Trenton Cannon )
Trade Analysis
This trade is a useful example of why a player’s later career cannot automatically be credited to the team that drafted him. Minnesota moved up in the fifth round to select Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson at No. 167 and also came away with seventh-rounder Devante Downs. The Jets received selections that became defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi and running back Trenton Cannon.
Carlson had the biggest career of anyone in the transaction, but almost none of that value belonged to Minnesota. He struggled early in his rookie season, missing three field goals in a Week 2 tie against Green Bay, and the Vikings waived him the next day after only two regular-season games. Carlson later signed with the Raiders, rebuilt his mechanics and became one of the NFL’s best kickers, earning All-Pro recognition. That remarkable rebound belongs to Las Vegas’ development story, not Minnesota’s return from this trade.
Downs stayed with the Vikings as a reserve linebacker and special-teams contributor but did not become a significant starter. New York, meanwhile, found real value in Fatukasi. The sixth-round defensive tackle developed into a strong run defender and starter during his Jets tenure before earning a multi-year contract elsewhere. Cannon supplied additional reserve and special-teams snaps.
The original Minnesota A grade effectively treats Carlson’s entire career as Vikings value, which is the wrong way to evaluate the exchange. Minnesota spent draft capital to target a specialist and then released him almost immediately. New York did not land a star, but it received multiple seasons of useful defensive-line play from a late pick and added another contributing depth player.
The Jets deserve a B+ and the win. Minnesota drops to a D. Carlson’s later excellence makes the transaction famous, but it actually strengthens the criticism of Minnesota because the Vikings identified the talent and then failed to retain or develop it.