Trade with Texans suggests Vikings looking to position themselves for big quarterback move

While it is an intriguing move for Houston to move completely out of the first-round and collect more picks (both this year and next year) the real intrigue here sits with the Vikings and what this could mean for their draft plans. 

The most obvious theory is that they are positioning themselves for an even bigger move up the draft board where they might be able to land their next franchise quarterback.

If that isn't their plan, then it is a really curious move to randomly move up to the 23rd pick in the draft in the middle of March when you have no idea what the draft board will actually look like on draft night. 

This trade now gives the Vikings the No. 11 and 23 overall picks in the draft. That would seem to be a good starting point for a move up into the top five where the elite quarterback prospects are going to go. 

The only question would be which team would be willing to take that bait.

The Chicago Bears have two top-10 picks (No. 1 and No. 9) but seem on track to select USC's Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick.

The Washington Commanders at No. 2 are in no position to move back as they desperately need a franchise-changing player, especially at quarterback. They would seem destined for Drake Maye. 

But the New England Patriots at No. 3 and the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 would seem to be intriguing options that might be willing to move back. Especially the Cardinals who are prepared to roll with Kyler Murray as their quarterback.

The Los Angeles Chargers have the No. 5 pick and also have their franchise quarterback (Justin Herbert), while also needing to rebuild a salary cap-purged roster under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. 

If the Vikings want to land one of Williams, Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels moving into the top-three would probably be a must. After that, it would ultimately depend on how high they are on Michigan's J.J. McCarthy. Would they really be willing to move up into the top five to take him? It might be on the table.

The Vikings lost long-time starter Kirk Cousins in free agency to the Atlanta Falcons, leaving a huge hole at the most important position on the field. With wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison still in the mix, finding a quarterback who can take advantage of their talents is a must this offseason.