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The Minnesota Vikings acquired Houston’s first-round pick in a pre-draft trade Friday, giving them the 11th and 23rd overall selections as potential capital toward their next franchise quarterback.

The Vikings sent their second-round pick and one of their sixth-round picks for this year and their second-round pick in 2025 to the Texans in exchange for the 23rd overall pick and a seventh-rounder this year. The deal leaves Houston without a first-rounder, for now.

The Texans had No. 23 from Cleveland for the 2022 trade of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Their original first-round pick this year (No. 27) is owed to Arizona for a previous trade.

After Kirk Cousins left for Atlanta in free agency, the Vikings signed 2018 third overall pick Sam Darnold to be at least a temporary replacement.

But while general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said Thursday the departure of Cousins did not lock the Vikings in to drafting one, they’re a strong bet to take a quarterback next month with a deep pool featuring five or six potential first-rounders. Most of them will likely be gone in the top five.

Pairing No. 23 with No. 11 could give the Vikings enough of a package to move up much higher in the first round to make sure they get a prospect they want.

Sports

Minnesota Vikings

The Associated Press

Author

The deal gives the Vikings the 11th and 23rd overall selections as potential capital toward their next franchise quarterback. 

Fans move about outside of the football stadium.

Vikings acquire extra 1st-round pick at No. 23 from Texans in trade for pair of 2nd-rounders

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