National Football League

Vikings acquire No. 23 pick in 2024 NFL Draft in deal with Texans

Updated Mar. 15, 2024 12:11 p.m. ET

The Minnesota Vikings have acquired the No. 23 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft from the Houston Texans, the Vikings announced on Friday. The Vikings now have the 11th and 23rd overall selections as potential capital toward their next franchise quarterback. Minnesota is sending the Nos. 42 and 188 picks in this year's draft and its 2025 second-round draft pick to Houston for picks Nos. 23 and 232 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.

FOX Sports' most recent mock draft has Minnesota selecting Washington quarterback Michael Penix at No. 11.

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.

Minnesota is coming off a 7-10 season that saw it miss the playoffs for the third time in four years. Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 8 and recently signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, while star linebacker Danielle Hunter signed a two-year, $49 million deal with the Texans.

Meanwhile, the Vikings have reportedly signed defensive end Jonathan Greenard to a four-year, $76 million deal, while agreeing to one-year deals with quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Aaron Jones, among other moves.

GM Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell are entering their third seasons with the Vikings. On the other hand, the Texans are coming off a 10-7 season that saw them win the AFC South and reach the AFC divisional round with first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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