The Minnesota Vikings made a significant move in the NFL draft by acquiring a first-round pick (No. 23 overall) and a seventh-round pick (No. 232) from the Houston Texans. In exchange, the Texans received a 2024 second-round pick (No. 42 overall), a 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 188), and a 2025 second-round pick from the Vikings.
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This trade leaves the Vikings with two first-round picks in the 2024 draft: their original selection at No. 11 overall and the newly acquired No. 23 pick from the Texans. With Kirk Cousins departing for Atlanta in free agency, the focus now shifts to the Vikings’ quarterback situation.
The top three picks in the 2024 NFL Draft belong to the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, and New England Patriots, all of whom are expected to target quarterbacks. However, history shows that teams have moved up from positions similar to the Vikings’ range to secure top quarterback prospects.
For instance, in 2021, the San Francisco 49ers traded up from No. 12 to No. 3 to select quarterback Trey Lance. This move involved trading away their 2021 third-round pick, a 2022 first-round pick, and a 2023 first-round pick to the Miami Dolphins.
In a similar vein, the Philadelphia Eagles orchestrated two trades to draft a franchise quarterback. First, they moved from No. 13 to No. 8 in 2016 through a trade with the Dolphins. Then, they packaged that pick in a larger deal with the Cleveland Browns to move up to No. 2 and select Carson Wentz.
Considering the draft order beyond the top three picks, neither the Arizona Cardinals (No. 4) nor the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5) are seeking new starting quarterbacks. The New York Giants hold the No. 6 pick, while the Tennessee Titans at No. 7 could entertain the possibility of trading down.