The Minnesota Vikings are 5-2 and in third place in the NFC North.

They have lost two straight games, allowing 30 or more points in each of the last two games.

Minnesota is in the best division in the NFL, with the Lions at 6-1, the Packers at 6-2 and the Bears at 4-3.

The Minnesota Vikings lost their top offensive lineman, Christian Darrisaw, for the rest of the season.

They traded for LT Cam Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars. PFF ranks Robinson 32nd this season.

However, Robinson was benched in the Jaguars’ loss to the Packers in Week 8.

Below, we look at the Minnesota Vikings’ needs ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

The Minnesota Vikings need before the NFL trade deadline

The Minnesota Vikings started the season 5-0, but have lost two in a row and are now 5-2.

If the Vikings hope to compete with the Lions and Packers for the division crown, they need to make a few more moves to improve their roster.

There are some glaring weaknesses that the Minnesota Vikings have and need to address.

The cornerback

The Minnesota Vikings have been very good at stopping the run, ranking third in the league in yards allowed per game. However, their defense was fired up. They rank 30th in the league in yards allowed per game.

One player the Vikings should look to acquire if available is Saints CB Marshon Lattimore.

With the Saints 2-6, they may be sellers at the trade deadline.

Minnesota needs to add a cornerback at the NFL trade deadline to improve their defense.

Offensive lineman

While the addition of Cam Robinson helps, the loss of Christian Darrisaw was a big loss that Robinson may not be able to fill.

Robinson was benched in Week 8 by the Jags.

Sam Darnold is not a mobile quarterback and needs to be protected to be successful.

The Minnesota Vikings are stacked on offense. Weapons like Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones, Jordan Addison and will get back TE TJ Hockenson this week make for a dangerous offense.

The Minnesota Vikings need to find another offensive lineman available via trade and try to acquire them.

Quarter

Sam Darnold has been a solid QB for the Minnesota Vikings, but he is not the answer to take the Vikings deep into the playoffs.

Along with Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones, Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson, they are stacked on offense.

However, Darnold has not shown in his NFL career that he can be a franchise QB. The Vikings have a roster that can make the playoffs and make a deep playoff push, but they need an upgrade at QB.

Matthew Stafford has been rumored to possibly be on the move. However, with the Rams still in contention to win the NFC West, the Rams are unlikely to trade Stafford.

Derek Carr could be a QB to watch as the trade deadline approaches. He is an upgrade over Darnold and would thrive in this offense with Jefferson.

The Minnesota Vikings have a good roster, but they need to address the cornerback, offensive line and QB positions if they hope to win a tough NFC North.