ESPN Analyst Continues to Show Love for Donovan Jackson Pick
Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, nobody really knew what to expect from the Minnesota Vikings. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah paid a ton of money in free agency to address the pressing needs, and he could’ve gone in numerous different directions with his first pick.
ESPN Analyst Continues to Show Love for Donovan Jackson Pick
When it was all set and done, he disappointed those who hoped for a trade and picked Donovan Jackson 24th overall. The guard selection raised some eyebrows and drew praise and criticism alike, but one man, ESPN’s Field Yates, continues to show love for the move.
A panel of ESPN analysts united to talk about the draft. In an article, they each nominated their favorite and their least favorite draft pick, and Yates picked Jackson to Minnesota as his top move.
He wrote, “Guard Donovan Jackson to the Vikings (No. 24). Jackson was 20th overall on my board, as I am extremely bullish on his positional versatility, power, toughness and overall play temperament. The Vikings began this offseason saying they would get their trenches in order and have done it.”
Indeed, they said they would address the trenches. Right after the playoff exit, Kevin O’Connell talked to the media and publicly criticized the interior offensive line.
“There’s no question we’ve got to find a way to be able to give a quarterback [time], especially with players like Justin (Jefferson), Jordan (Addison), T.J. (Hockenson), we’ve got to find a way to solidify just the interior of the pocket,” O’Connell emphasized. “There can be a thousand excuses made, whether it’s losing [Christian Darrisaw], or even midway through the game losing [Brian O’Neill] tonight, but for me, it’s the foundation of the interior of the pocket that we’re going to have to take a long look at.”
A couple of months later, the Vikings spent big in free agency, agreeing to terms with Ryan Kelly and Will Fries. The two ex-Colts are significant upgrades on paper. In the draft, they finished that overhaul by attacking the interior line once again.
Right after the pick, Yates also went public to praise the decision to acquire Jackson. He posted on social media, “Donovan Jackson to the Vikings just might be my favorite pick of the night. By the end of this past season, he had put on elite tape at both guard AND left tackle. An extremely dependable, selfless player. He’s tough, rugged and athletic. Excellent football player.”
Jackson started 40 games in college, 31 of which were at left guard and nine at left tackle, in place of injured starter Josh Simmons. His career at Ohio State ended with the national championship.
As always, the rookie has to work on a thing or two to crack the starting lineup because incumbent starter Blake Brandel is still in the mix, but it wouldn’t be shocking one bit to see him be the main left guard by the start of the season in September.
The offensive line has been the Achilles’ heel in the Twin Cities for too long. Once Christian Darrisaw is healthy and Jackson usurps Brandel, the line looks fantastic, at least in theory. From left to right, the unit would be: Darrisaw, Jackson, Kelly, Fries, Brian O’Neill.
That’s a pair of multiple-time Pro Bowlers, one that should’ve been at a Pro Bowler (Darrisaw), a first-rounder, and an expensive guard. Because of all the investments, the expectations for the unit should be raised.
If Yates and Adofo-Mensah are right about the pick, the Vikings will have a fun blocking unit going forward.