Minnesota acquired cornerback A.J. Jefferson and Arizona's…
Minnesota acquired cornerback A.J. Jefferson and Arizona's 2013 seventh-round pick for a 2013 sixth-rounder. Jefferson immediately entered the Vikings' defensive rotation, while the seventh-rounder became linebacker Michael Mauti, another useful roster piece. Arizona ultimately did not use the outgoing sixth-round selection itself. The Vikings received two players who contributed in Minnesota, enough to make the modest move a clear but unspectacular win.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player A.J. Jefferson
- pick 2013 7th round pick (213th overall, Michael Mauti )
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 2013 6th round pick (176th overall subsequently traded, David Quessenberry )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On September 1, 2012, Minnesota acquired A.J. Jefferson from Arizona and also received the Cardinals' 2013 seventh-round choice. Arizona received Minnesota's 2013 sixth-round pick. The seventh-rounder became No. 213, used by the Vikings on linebacker Michael Mauti. The sixth-rounder became No. 176, a selection that moved again before David Quessenberry was ultimately drafted by Houston.
Minnesota Vikings Return
Jefferson was not a star acquisition, but he gave Minnesota immediate defensive-back depth. He appeared in 15 games during the 2012 season and remained with the Vikings into 2013. Mauti then supplied a second piece from the transaction after Minnesota used the acquired seventh-rounder on him. As a seventh-round linebacker, his ability to make the roster and appear in regular-season games represented useful secondary value from a deal that began as a depth move.
Arizona Cardinals Return
Arizona's logic was straightforward: move a player it was willing to part with and gain a higher pick in the following draft. The problem in hindsight is that the sixth-round selection did not become a direct Cardinals contributor. The pick was later moved, and the eventual No. 176 selection was used elsewhere. That leaves Arizona with less tangible football value from this particular transaction than Minnesota received.
Value in Hindsight
Small trades are best judged by whether the acquired pieces actually become usable roster assets. Minnesota got immediate cornerback snaps and then another player from the accompanying pick. Neither Jefferson nor Mauti transformed the franchise, but both cleared the practical bar for a low-cost exchange. Arizona's return was more abstract because the acquired pick was redirected.
Final Verdict
Minnesota wins at B- to Arizona's C. The Vikings extracted two usable players from a modest package, while Arizona did not turn its higher future selection into comparable direct value.