NFL Trade Targets: Minnesota Vikings Eye Two Indianapolis Colts Stars To Boost Their Unbeaten Run

Jonathan Taylor and Quenton Nelson could help the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings fix their offense© Image via: X/@NFL

The Minnesota Vikings are the only unbeaten team left in the NFL, and they have scored just ten touchdowns to get there. That is the fewest for any 6-0 team since the 1934 Detroit Lions. Quarterback Kyler Murray keeps finding ways to survive, but the offense sputters more than it hums. The trade deadline sits two weeks away, and the Indianapolis Colts look ready to sell. Running back Jonathan Taylor and guard Quenton Nelson have both been linked to Minnesota, and each could fix a different problem. Which one deserves the first call?

Jonathan Taylor And The Minnesota Vikings Offense That Wins Without Scoring

Minnesota Vikings beat Indianapolis Colts 16-10 on Sunday, and the final score was typical for this team. The Vikings actually score on 41.5% of their drives, 12th in the league, but kicker Will Reichard has done much of that work with field goals. Murray ranks 27th in sack rate, 29th in passing success rate and 31st in touchdown rate. He still makes a big play now and then with his arm or his legs. He just doesn't make them often enough to trust.

Should the #Commanders trade for G Quenton Nelson? https://t.co/JRIwsYcTuM

— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) October 22, 2026

Taylor spent that game proving his value to the people who might pay for him. He finished with 110 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown against Minnesota's defense, which is the one the Vikings badly want to protect. Aaron Jones has played through a knee injury and aggravated it again in the same game. A back like Taylor would give the Vikings a second way to score, and it would let Murray lean on the ground game instead of forcing throws.

Quenton Nelson And The Left Guard Hole The Vikings Cannot Ignore

Minnesota's line has a gap that never shows up in the box score. Guard Donovan Jackson is out for the season with a torn meniscus, and undrafted free agent Joe Huber has taken over at left guard. CBS Sports writer Garrett Podell sees Nelson as the cure, and he laid out his case in a piece on which contenders should chase him:

"They could be interested if they want to upgrade their offense and move off of undrafted free agent Joe Huber at left guard, with Donovan Jackson out for the season with a torn meniscus. Minnesota will have a phenomenal opportunity to scout Nelson in Week 7 when he and the Colts come to town to play the Vikings."

That scouting window has now closed, since the teams have already played, so the Vikings have seen what they need to see. Nelson has ranked among the league's best guards since Indianapolis took him in the first round in 2018. He is also in a contract year, which weakens the Colts' bargaining position. Still, whoever trades for him will likely need to extend him, and a guard of his caliber will not come cheap.

Minnesota has the record of a contender and a roster with real holes. Fourteen days is not much time to decide how to fix them.