The Minnesota Vikings were a major trade-down candidate at the beginning of the NFL Draft. With only four picks to their name, it made sense that a trade down could end up happening. That isn't what happened for the Vikings, as they selected offensive lineman Donovan Jackson out of Ohio State University.
The move to bring in Jackson tells you everything you need to know about how serious the Vikings were about fixing the offensive line this offseason. Why?
They want to make the Super Bowl.
Vikings get solid grade for Donovan Jackson selection
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was very aggressive in trying to fix the offensive line and he delivered the final piece to the puzzle in getting Jackson. His press conference was very excited about the pick.
"Really excited to make the selection we made tonight. Donovan Jackson was somebody we identified really early in the process as we set the vision for this offseason, wanting to play a certain way with a play style, with a demeanor. Incredibly poised player, really good in pass protection, recover quickness, all those great things you want in an anchor. And then the run game for kind of a mild mannered, when he walks in your office and sits in your office for Top 30, he turns into a different guy on the football field. Incredibly strong, latchy, tries to stay connected to the defenders with that last touch. And then you talk about selflessness with the team. These are all things that we say with words, but I think he showed with action in a big year for him switching out to left tackle for his team as they went on that march, that journey for confetti. And so ultimately, we added a player with great skill set, championship pedigree, who we brought in got to see in the building, know, and we're excited."
Adofo-Mensah also talked about the fact that they wanted an impactful player in the draft and they got one in Jackson. Having played left tackle at the end of the season, he 's got the flexibility to do a lot of thinks, including play left tackle in a pinch, which he did at the end of the season.
Right now, Jackson likely can step in on day one and be a starter for you from the jump. Will they regret not trading down? Time will tell, but they weren't getting Jackson with a trade down with how the board was falling.
