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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 21: Jonathan Greenard #58 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Vikings have time running out to obtain 2026 draft compensation for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, with just hours left before this year’s draft.

The former Houston Texan will turn 29 in May, and there has been broad debate about what kind of trade compensation the Vikings may be in line to receive by moving on from him.

The reports coming out of the building suggested that the Vikings would be content with no less than a Day 2 pick for the seventh year pro, who was nominated to the Pro Bowl back in 2024.

And yet, it feels like “Day” 2 may not be so much the asking price as “Round” 2, as The Athletic’s Alec Lewis suggested on Wednesday – the day before the first round of the draft – that Minnesota are expecting to recoup something in the range of pick 49; the same as their second round pick this year; in exchange for Greenard.

“I would expect the pick to come like around that 49 range”, Lewis said, via the X page ‘The Purple Persuasion’.

Lewis also notes, per the page, that anything less than compensation equivalent to the 60th overall pick would have Minnesota seriously reconsider trading him.

Lewis does also add that he believes that ultimately Greenard will stay on the Vikings, however, despite the reason for the initial trade talks stemming from the former third round pick’s trade request, which itself came from a desire to have a higher paying deal than the $19 million per year he is owed in 2026 and 2027.

Can the Vikings Get a Second Round Pick for Greenard?

Had talks been held a year prior, with Greenard a year younger and having come off back-to-back 12+ sack seasons, the argument would be far more convincing.

As it stands, the Florida alum is one year and one month away from his 30th birthday, and suffered a down year in 2025, in which he managed just 3 sacks – whilst missing five games due to shoulder injury, which had been impacting his play since the midway point of the season.

It would appear that Greenard can still play, and at $19 million a year his contract is exceptionally reasonable for an edge rusher with very clear double-digit sack upside.

However, if the team trading for him is to also give him a raise to match the current market at the position, which would likely see him paid around the $25-30 million mark; the same amount recent free agents Odafe Oweh and Jaelan Phillips received per year last month, despite having achieved and produced far less over the course of their respective careers to date; much of his appeal as a trade target dissipates.

Ultimately, a second rounder is certainly still in play. But there is a good chance that something around the 60 mark is more likely than the 49 one.