The Minnesota Vikings’ trade for Cam Robinson looks even more beneficial after the former Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle departed in free agency.
In Week 8, after Christian Darrisaw suffered a season-ending knee injury, the Vikings traded a conditional 2026 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick for Robinson.
He then started the final 10 games of the season in Darrisaw’s absence, helping to salvage the Vikings’ season, which went from a 6-2 start to a 14-3 finish, though they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
This move was valuable on its own, but it became even smarter when Robinson signed with the Houston Texans. According to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, Robinson agreed to a one-year, $14.5 million contract with the Texans on March 19.
With free agency winding down, Robinson’s departure further tilted the 2026 compensatory pick formula in the Vikings’ favor.
Minnesota is now expected to receive a third-round compensatory pick for Sam Darnold and either a fourth- or fifth-round pick depending on Daniel Jones’ playing time with the Indianapolis Colts.
Robinson’s exit also canceled out the impact of the Vikings signing Colts Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly. As long as the Vikings don’t sign another qualifying free agent, they effectively rented a starting left tackle for 10 games and will recoup the draft capital they invested.
Under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the team has been strategic in its approach, maximizing the compensatory pick formula, and it’s paying off.
While the Vikings’ 14-win season was initially seen as premature due to an unproven defense and questions about Darnold, their unexpected success positions them well for the future, particularly with J.J. McCarthy’s rookie contract.
Accumulating more draft capital will allow the Vikings to strengthen their roster and remain competitive for the coming years.
Darrisaw is optimistic about being fully healthy for the start of next season, but if not, the team signed veteran swing tackle Justin Skule as a temporary solution.
