Minnesota acquired center Brett Jones from the Giants for a…
Minnesota acquired center Brett Jones from the Giants for a 2019 seventh-round pick and immediately used him as injury insurance. Jones started the first three games of 2018 while Pat Elflein recovered, returned for additional seasons, and later remained useful interior-line depth. New York's pick became George Asafo-Adjei, who did not create comparable Giants value, giving Minnesota the edge.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Brett Jones
New York Giants Received
- pick 2019 7th round pick (232nd overall, George Asafo-Adjei)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Minnesota acquired interior offensive lineman Brett Jones from the Giants in August 2018 for a seventh-round pick in the 2019 draft. The selection became No. 232, which New York used on tackle George Asafo-Adjei. The Vikings needed immediate insurance because starting center Pat Elflein was still working back from an injury suffered during the previous postseason. Jones arrived with starting experience from his Giants tenure and could play both center and guard.
Why Minnesota Pulled Ahead
The value showed up immediately. Jones started Minnesota's first three games of the 2018 season at center while Elflein recovered, then remained available as interior depth. The Vikings brought him back for 2019 and again for 2020, and he later stepped into another starting opportunity at guard. New York did the sensible thing by recovering a draft choice for a player who was not central to its plans, but Asafo-Adjei did not provide comparable regular-season value for the Giants.
How the Trade Aged
A seventh-round pick is a low acquisition cost, so a buyer does not need a star to win this kind of deal. Minnesota received exactly the kind of utility that makes late-summer veteran trades worthwhile: immediate injury coverage, position flexibility and multiple seasons of organizational familiarity. The Giants' side still receives credit for converting a movable veteran into a selection instead of releasing him, but the pick did not develop enough to match Jones' practical contribution.
Final Verdict
Minnesota wins with a B-, while New York earns a C. Jones' starts and multi-year depth role exceeded the typical value of the surrendered seventh-rounder, while the Giants' eventual selection produced little direct return. The margin is modest but clear.