NFC North watch: Vikings make big draft trade maneuver

[DSF]

The Minnesota Vikings are not taking their tied-for-last-place finish in the NFC North in 2023 lying down. After watching longtime franchise QB Kirk Cousins take his talents to Atlanta, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is very busy in efforting to secure his replacement.

To that end, Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings agreed to a trade on Friday. Minnesota is trading its second-round pick (No. 42), a sixth-round pick (No. 188) and a 2025 second-round pick to the Houston Texans. In exchange, Houston sends back a first-round pick (No. 23) and a seventh-rounder (No. 232).

The move gives the Vikings two first-round picks now, No. 11 and No. 23. That’s very good ammunition to bundle in a trade to shoot up into the top five for a quarterback to replace Cousins. With Chicago, Washington and New England all expected to select QBs in the top three picks, the Vikings are either loading up for a jump into one of the slots or a spot next in line to get their guy.

A Draft Trade!!

The #Vikings and #Texans have agreed to terms on a major deal in advance of the draft, per me and @TomPelissero, landing Minnesota another 1.

— Minnesota gets No. 23 and No. 232.
— Houston gets No. 42, 188 and a 2025 2nd rounder.

MIN moves up, HOU collects. pic.twitter.com/ehRFqOKbFz

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2024

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