The Vikings' trade with the Texans for a 2024 first-round pick is a clear sign they're focused on a QB

It was already pretty darn obvious that the Minnesota Vikings would be thinking hard about grabbing a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft.

In mock drafts — including the latest from our Christian D’Andrea — a lot of experts had them taking one outside the top-three big names like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. The slight problem there: the Vikings don’t have a top-five pick to spend.

But now? Thanks to a trade the franchise made on Friday, they’ve got a shot at trading up, perhaps into the top-3.

They dealt a 2025 second-rounder, plus the 42nd and 188th picks in this year’s draft for No. 23 and the 232nd pick. That means they have two first-rounders now:

Here we go. The Vikings have acquired the Texans' No. 23 overall pick in the draft.

Minnesota Gets:
23rd
232nd

Houston Gets:
42nd
188th
2nd in 2025

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) March 15, 2024

So what’s next? Well …

Per the Jimmy Johnson trade value chart, the 11th + 23rd pick is enough ammo to get to the 5th pick for Minnesota.

The Vikings would have to add another high 2nd round value pick to get to #3 with the Patriots.

— Davis Mattek (@DavisMattek) March 15, 2024

If that doesn’t SCREAM a trade up to get a quarterback, I don’t know what will.

A reminder: make sure to check out the latest post-combine NFL mock draft from Christian D’Andrea, plus the updated first-round order for April’s draft.