The 2007 Marcus Thomas Trade: Broncos Move Up, Vikings Bank Future Value
Denver moved up for defensive tackle Marcus Thomas, while Minnesota turned the move down into two late picks and a future third-rounder that later became part of a much bigger roster-building chain.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2007 6th round pick (176th overall, Rufus Alexander), 2007 7th round pick (233rd overall, Chandler Williams) and 2008 3rd round pick (73rd overall subsequently traded, Jamaal Charles )
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2007 4th round pick (121st overall, Marcus Thomas )
Trade Summary
Minnesota Vikings received 2007 6th round pick (176th overall, Rufus Alexander), 2007 7th round pick (233rd overall, Chandler Williams) and 2008 3rd round pick (73rd overall subsequently traded, Jamaal Charles). Denver Broncos received 2007 4th round pick (121st overall, Marcus Thomas). The final review favors Minnesota Vikings because that return produced stronger practical football value.
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Denver moved up to No. 121 in the 2007 draft and selected defensive tackle Marcus Thomas. Minnesota received No. 176, No. 233 and Denver's third-round pick in 2008. The 2007 selections became linebacker Rufus Alexander and wide receiver Chandler Williams. The future third-rounder became the 73rd pick in 2008.
Why the Return Mattered
The immediate player return was modest for Minnesota. Alexander and Williams did not become long-term Vikings fixtures. The future third-round pick, however, mattered beyond the name ultimately attached to No. 73. Denver's own media guide records that the pick was later sent to Kansas City in the Jared Allen trade, and Kansas City used it on Jamaal Charles. That makes the asset chain more important than simply saying Minnesota "got Jamaal Charles," which it did not.
Denver's side was more direct. The Broncos targeted Thomas, paid three selections to get him and kept him as part of their defensive-line rotation for several seasons. The move gave Denver exactly the prospect it wanted without spending a first- or second-round pick.
The Long-Term Legacy
This is a good example of why draft trades should be judged by both immediate player value and what later happened to the acquired capital. Denver received a usable player. Minnesota received volume plus a future asset that became part of the package used to acquire an established star in Allen.
Final Verdict
The existing Even Trade verdict is defensible. Denver got a meaningful contributor at the targeted spot, while Minnesota's strongest value came indirectly through the future third-round pick and its later use in a much larger transaction.