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Minnesota Vikings now have 2 first-round draft picks after deal with Houston Texans

Report: NFL investigating Falcons for potential tampering in Kirk Cousins signing
Report: NFL investigating Falcons for potential tampering in Kirk Cousins signing 01:09

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings now have two first-round draft picks in the upcoming NFL Draft after a deal with the Houston Texans.

On Friday, the team announced it had acquired the Texans' No. 23 pick in a draft pick trade.

Minnesota is sending Houston two second-round picks — one this year and another next year — and the No. 188 pick. In exchange, Minnesota will get a No. 23 pick and No. 232 pick this year.

The deal means the Vikings have the No. 11 and No. 23 pick in the first round of the draft, along with seven more picks in later rounds.

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Minnesota Vikings v Chicago Bears
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah of the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images

In a statement, the team says the deal will give general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah "even more flexibility" in this year's draft. 

Indeed, the Vikings now have more leverage to potentially trade into a higher slot and snag their QB of the future. They could also stick with both picks and take a second-tier QB prospect along with another impact player. 

The Vikings on Wednesday announced the signing of quarterback Sam Darnold, Kirk Cousins' likely successor, pending their draft plans. 

What are the Vikings draft picks this year?

After the deal, the Vikings now have two high-end selections and a handful of mid- to late-round selections in this year's draft. 

Here's a look at where things currently stand. 

  • First round: No. 11, No. 23
  • Fourth round: No. 108, No. 129
  • Fifth round: No. 157, No. 167
  • Sixth round: No. 177
  • Seventh round: No. 230, No. 232

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held April 25-27 in Detroit. 

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