What do the Really Smart Football People™ think?
We’re still in the learning phase when it comes to the Minnesota Vikings’ selection of Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson with the 24th pick in this year’s NFL Draft. However, there are a lot of people who do this for a living who have offered up their opinions on the selection, so we’ll collect as many of them as we can and put them here.
Field Yates, ESPN
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.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 25, 2025
Ohio State University Football
@D_jack78 takes his work ethic and drive to be great for the @Vikings for the next step in his journey ✅
#DevelopedHere pic.twitter.com/p3Nk1hsD0Q— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 25, 2025
CBS Sports – B grade
Minnesota completes its spring project as Jackson rounds out the offensive line. With a healthy Christian Darrisaw returning at left tackle, the Vikings have now added free agents Will Fries and Ryan Kelly, as well as Jackson. Jackson played left tackle for the Buckeyes during the College Football Playoffs run, but projects inside.
Pro Football Focus – “Above Average” grade
With the Vikings set at the tackle positions and signing center Ryan Kelly in free agency, Minnesota looks to protect its first-round quarterback from 2024 with the Ohio State guard. Jackson graded above the 75th percentile in run-blocking grade on both zone and gap schemes. Jackson has experience at both guard and tackle, giving the Vikings flexibility long term.
The Athletic – B grade
The Vikings spent money on their offensive line earlier this offseason, and they’ve now doubled down. Jackson was mainly a guard throughout his Ohio State career, but he performed well at left tackle after star Josh Simmons went down with a knee injury. He has the frame to be a tackle in the NFL, although he might wind up better as a guard long-term.
It’s clear the Vikings want to improve their run game — Jackson, a terrific athlete with some versatility, should help. He is a high-floor prospect and was at his best in the College Football Playoff this past season. That said, is he a better selection here than Simmons or Josh Conerly Jr.?
USA Today – B grade
With Minnesota entering the draft with a league-low four picks, this spot seemed ripe for a trade. Nevertheless, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah sticks with his first choice and continues to bolster his interior front after adding Will Fries and Ryan Kelly in free agency. Jackson might have been a somewhat surprising candidate to complete the effort, but the 6-4, 320-pounder showed off impressive pass protection skills when he kicked out to left tackle due to Josh Simmons’ injury to power the Buckeyes’ national title run.
Yahoo! Sports – A- grade
Minnesota’s offensive line overhaul is now complete with another sizable guard investment with Donovan Jackson. Jackson is a good, versatile offensive lineman who played left tackle well for Ohio State after Josh Simmons went down with an injury. J.J. McCarthy should be one happy camper after how this offseason has gone.
Sports Illustrated – B grade
Jackson is a mountain of a man at 6’ 4” and 315 pounds, and started 40 games for the Buckeyes including nine at left tackle after Justin Simmons tore his patellar tendon last autumn. Going forward, Jackson is expected to kick back inside where he spent the bulk of his college career. He’s a two-time, first-team All-Big Ten selection and last year was named a second-team All-American. —MV
Scouting report: Jackson earned 31 starts from 2022 to ’24. He has smooth feet to redirect and anchor as a pass blocker, and he’s an explosive mover when pulling and climbing in the run game. Jackson is best suited for a wide-zone scheme where he can get in space and seal rushing lanes
The Ringer – A+ grade
I really like this pick for the Vikings, who bolster their offensive line with a tough and versatile bruiser in Jackson. An excellent hand fighter who plays with balance and football IQ, he completes the team’s makeover at offensive line this offseason. Dropping him in at left guard alongside Christian Darrisaw, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill gives Minnesota the chance to field one of the best offensive lines in the league. That will be a massive boon for J.J. McCarthy.
The 33rd Team – B- grade
I liked Donovan Jackson more at tackle than guard despite his shorter height, so it’s interesting that Minnesota is taking him back to left guard.
Jackson is a tremendous athlete with great power and length. If his hand quickness and placement improve, he can be an All-Pro-level blocker for a long time.
SB Nation – A- grade
This is another interesting one, considering how much the Vikings invested in their offensive line in free agency. I thought Jackson was the best guard in this class, and getting him here for Minnesota is nice value. Can play guard or tackle, and be the starting left guard next to Christian Darrisaw.
That’s a quick roundup of some of the reactions to the Vikings taking Donovan Jackson. If we find any more, we’ll add them to this post for your consumption.
