The Minnesota Vikings acquire a first-round pick from the Houston Texans. A sign of things to come for Cousins?

Interesting trade by the Minnesota Vikings. The franchise has secured the Houston Texans’ first-round pick in the upcoming draft. As part of the deal, the Vikings acquired the 23rd pick in the talent draft, plus a seventh-round pick.

In return, the Texans will receive Minnesota’s 2024 second-round pick, a sixth-round pick in the upcoming draft and a second-round pick in the 2025 draft.

This move could be a precursor to the selection of a potential Cousins successor. The longtime Vikings quarterback recently signed a mega-contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

Although Minnesota has secured the services of free agent Sam Darnold for one year, drafting a new playmaker is more than just a possibility.

At this point, the newly acquired first-round pick would come into play. The Vikings could use this and their regular eleventh-round pick to trade up in the draft. A playmaker could then be selected with one of the first picks.

GM of the Vikings speaks out

The Arizona Cardinals’ pick at number four is likely to be the main target. The three teams ahead of them – Bears, Commanders and Patriots – are reportedly interested in drafting a quarterback themselves.

However, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah refused to confirm to US reporters whether the Vikings would end up trading up. He explained that the departure of Cousins would not force the team to draft a playmaker in the first round.

“If the opportunity arises that a player is available, we’ll take it,” the GM said. But that is by no means certain.