Minnesota traded picks No. 62 and No. 93 to Houston for No.…
Minnesota traded picks No. 62 and No. 93 to Houston for No. 51 and selected Toby Gerhart. Gerhart became a useful four-year backup behind Adrian Peterson, but Houston turned the acquired choices into a broader chain: No. 62 helped the Texans move up for Ben Tate, while No. 93 was traded for picks used on Darryl Sharpton and Sherrick McManis. Houston's deeper return wins narrowly.
Houston Texans Received
- pick 2010 2nd round pick (62nd overall subsequently traded, Brandon Spikes )
- pick 2010 3rd round pick (93rd overall subsequently traded, Tony Moeaki )
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2010 2nd round pick (51st overall, Toby Gerhart)
Trade Analysis
Why Minnesota Moved Up
The Vikings sent Houston picks No. 62 and No. 93 to acquire No. 51 in the 2010 draft, where they selected Stanford running back Toby Gerhart. Minnesota already had Adrian Peterson, but Gerhart offered a powerful complementary style and insurance behind one of the league's most heavily used backs.
What Gerhart Gave Minnesota
Gerhart spent four seasons with the Vikings and became a dependable reserve. He rushed for 1,305 yards at 4.7 yards per carry during his Minnesota tenure and was capable of handling larger workloads when Peterson was unavailable. That is solid second-round value, although his role was naturally limited by playing behind an elite starter.
How Houston Reused the Picks
Houston did not simply select players at Nos. 62 and 93. The Texans packaged No. 62 with a fifth-rounder to move up to No. 58 for Ben Tate. Tate became a productive complement to Arian Foster and rushed for 942 yards in 2011. Houston then traded No. 93 to Kansas City for picks No. 102 and No. 144, used on linebacker Darryl Sharpton and cornerback Sherrick McManis. The chain therefore produced several roster pieces.
Why This Trade Still Matters
Minnesota got exactly the kind of player it wanted, so the deal was not a failure. Houston simply extracted more total value by turning two picks into a starting-caliber running back and additional defensive contributors.
Final Verdict
Houston Texans Win. The Texans earn a B+ for the Tate-centered chain and added depth. Minnesota receives a C+ because Gerhart was a useful four-year Viking. The trade favors Houston, but Gerhart's efficiency and reliability keep it from becoming a large loss for Minnesota.