The Minnesota Vikings are hard at work following Kirk Cousins’ departure in free agency.

While they have signed Sam Darnold to help fill the void in the quarterback room, they are keen on signing a QB for the future and have been busy collecting picks.

According to league sources, per The Athletic, the team traded for another first-round pick this Friday, acquiring the No. 23 from the Houston Texans.

The deal will see the Vikings hand the Texans their No. 42 overall pick (second round) for 2024, as well as No. 166 (sixth round), and a second-round pick for 2025. In addition to the first-round pick, Minnesota will receive a seventh-round pick (No. 232).

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

As things stand, the Vikings own the 11th and 23rd picks in the first round, which leaves them in a great position to trade up. They are keen on a quarterback and might not be willing to take the risk of waiting until No. 11 as there’s no telling who will be left on the board by then.

The Athletic has suggested that they could reach out to the New England Patriots to inquire about the latter’s No. 3 overall pick. While the Pats are also looking to draft a QB and have already traded Mac Jones, they could be persuaded to give up their No. 3 for both Minnesota’s first-rounders this year, plus their 2025 first-round pick.

With two first-round picks, the Vikings could be preparing to trade up for their QB of the future.

Could they call up the Patriots for the No. 3 overall pick? pic.twitter.com/wVS0LkdDp8

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 15, 2024

That Minnesota has already made a trade for the No. 23 suggests they’re getting ready to move up in the draft.

How high can they realistically get?