Vikings Rookie Secures Starting Job
On Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings released the annual first unofficial depth chart. Those never reveal too many details because teams tend to list older players higher, and rookies usually remain buried. But one guy is already ahead of his experienced competition.
Vikings Rookie Secures Starting Job
First-rounder Donovan Jackson has entered the starting lineup, according to the depth chart. He joined the four veteran starters, Christian Darrisaw, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill.
Jackson was acquired with the 24th overall pick in April’s draft to help solidify the front for first-time starter J.J. McCarthy, who, of course, is also listed as the team’s starter for the first time. A promising college career was crowned in the national title game, which Jackson’s Ohio State Buckeyes won.
Minnesota’s blocker moved to left tackle during the 2024 campaign after fellow first-rounder Josh Simmons suffered a season-ending knee injury. He stayed there for the title run, but his best position is at left guard, where he spent the vast majority of his college career.
Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota’s head coach entering his fourth season in charge, praised the rookie for his willingness to learn after a couple of days in camp:
“So, day one, there was a couple things. That was his first reps of full speed team — we jogged through in the spring. And there was a couple things Kup (OL coach Chris Kuper) hit him on, Keith (Carter, assistant OL coach) hit him on, talking to Ryan Kelly or even CD (Christian Darrisaw) sitting next to him in meetings. And you show back up the next day and he immediately fixes those things, whether it’s fundamental recognition, hand usage, which I thought was really, really, really cool to see because that’s what this position is all about inside.”
Blake Brandel, the incumbent left guard, returned for the 2025 season, but rather than having the two players compete, the Vikings seemingly just handed the spot to Jackson, who has taken all the reps in OTAs and training camp at that spot. Brandel, instead, worked with the first team at right guard for as long as Fries was out rehabbing his fractured tibia. Since the pricey free-agent signing is back, Brandel has been relegated to the second-team offense.
O’Connell then went into detail: “And then, the other thing they carried over was his ability to react and sustain through downs even when it wasn’t perfect. I think that’s what gets young players sometimes, is it’s not the plays that you do your job and you get commended for it. It’s, Hey, you do get beat quickly. Can you recover and not just make the total down a loss?’”
His ability to recover when falling behind was one of his strengths coming out.
“And there was a play that hits my mind, Jonathan Allen, kind of got him off balance with a hump move that Jonathan’s really good at as a strong, three-technique rusher. And he was in less-than-ideal base, balance, body position, to fight this legitimate rush off. And he was able to anchor down and survive the down for JJ to get the ball thrown. So that right there was the types of things that I’m looking for and we’re looking for as a staff.”
The Vikings spent a ton of resources this offseason to bolster the offensive line. After years of it being a weakness, they might have turned it into a strength. That would be big for McCarthy’s development, but also help the rushing attack that hasn’t been reliable in years.
Jackson’s run-blocking has already drawn some praise in camp, but perhaps the best man to ask is Vikings legend and Hall of Famer, Randall McDaniel, the last first-round guard the Vikings had drafted prior to April of 2025.
He said, “[Ohio State] was known for running that ball. I liked that. I like the way he gets after it. He finishes his blocks and initiates it. I’m an old-school lineman; anytime I get to see a young kid run blocking, I get excited.”
It remains to be seen how good Jackson will be from the get-go. Some rookie struggles can be expected, although he’s competing against a pair of former Pro Bowlers on a daily basis in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. The duo might have him ready early.
One thing is sure: Barring any major surprise, the 22-year-old will be in the starting lineup in Week 1.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.