The Minnesota Vikings entered the draft without any glaring need, allowing them to choose the best player on their board. Ultimately, the 24th overall pick was used to acquire Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson, the third major addition along the offensive line this offseason.
Vikings Rookie Earns “Instant Impact” Label
In free agency, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah already signed veteran center Ryan Kelly and up-and-coming right guard Will Fries. He completed the overhaul in the draft, and the club is finally in a position to feature a fantastic offensive line, depending on health and how quickly Jackson can get acclimated to the NFL speed.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports, thinks Jackson is an instant impact player. He ranked the guard tenth on his annual list of instant impact players.
“All Jackson did at Ohio State was play 800-plus snaps in three consecutive seasons after entering the program as the No. 1 interior offensive line recruit in the country, per 247 Sports,” Trapasso stated. “Oh, and in 2024, he assumed full-time left tackle duties after Josh Simmons’ serious knee injury, and the Buckeyes offense didn’t skip a beat on the way to the national title.”
The former five-star recruit started 40 games for the Buckeyes, playing in a total of 53. Of those 40, 31 came at left guard, where he is widely expected to play at the next level. The other nine were at left tackle en route to the championship.
Trapasso continued, “Now, Jackson is a guard and only a guard in the NFL. And he’ll squeeze in next to Christian Darrisaw and Ryan Kelly on the left side of the Vikings’ strapping offensive line.”
It will be a fun line to watch from a fan’s perspective. The Vikings haven’t had this good of a line in years, or even decades. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill will bookend the group, and the aforementioned Kelly and Fries should be a quick upgrade over the axed Ed Ingram and Garrett Bradbury.
Jackson, meanwhile, is slated to compete with incumbent starter Blake Brandel for the left guard job. Trapasso doesn’t think it’ll take too long before Jackson is part of the starting five.
“This is about as pro-ready and athletic as a nearly 6-foot-4 and 320-pound guard comes out of the collegiate ranks. It’ll be much more challenging than others to notice, but Jackson will be incredibly instant impact in Minnesota.”
Guards aren’t as flashy as watching a new wideout catch passes or seeing a new running back stiff-arm defenders, but they are essential. Vikings fans have seen too many guards ruin games, and if there’s a fan base that will recognize good guard play, it’ll be Skol Nation.
Jackson was Minnesota’s first guard in the top round of the draft since they took Hall of Famer Randall McDaniel in 1988. If the reigning national champion can come even close to McDaniel’s success, he will be a home run pick.
While Jackson could be a starter as early as Week 1, the other Vikings rookies might take a little more time to find their footing in the NFL.
Third-round Tai Felton is primed to have a role on special teams early in his career, but on offense, there’s really no reason to rush the Maryland prospect with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor in the mix. The latter is in his contract year, and Addison could be looking at a suspension at some point. Both of those things have the potential to lead to some targets for Felton.
Day three picks don’t usually play huge roles early. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins has some intriguing physical tools, but the Georgia defender might require some time to refine his technique. Linebacker Kobe King and tight end Gavin Bartholomew project as depth pieces.
