Vikings Draft Grade Revealed for Round 1

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) and mascot Brutus celebrate following the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Ohio State won 20-13. © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings locked in their 1st-Round pick on Thursday night, securing offensive lineman Donovan Jackson for the next five years, a 2024 National Champion from Ohio State.

Vikings Draft Grade Revealed for Round 1

And while “draft grades” are a little silly until two or three years down the road, they give a decent barometer of how the world feels about the pick’s logic.

So, from various sources, these are Minnesota’s Round 1 draft grades.

The Mark = A+
The Ringer

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (91), offensive lineman D. Jackson (74) and offensive lineman Carson Hinzman (75) celebrate following the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Ohio State won 20-13. © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

The Ringer‘s Danny Kelly handed Minnesota the best assessment of the batch.

He wrote, “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 Mark = A-
Yahoo Sports

Charles McDonald wasn’t shy about praising Minnesota: “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.”

The Mark = A-
USA Today

An Ohio State Buckeyes helmet sits on the sideline prior to the NCAA football oga me against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. © Adam Cairoooooooooooooons/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

USA Today oddly used AI for its judgment: “He was a three-year starter at left guard and also played left tackle when needed (at Ohio State), showcasing his adaptability. His physical attributes, including a 6-foot-4, 320-pound frame, and his strong upper body, make him a formidable presence on the offensive line. Jackson’s strengths include his ability to handle both run blocking and pass protection effectively. He excels in vertical double-teams and has a good feel for zone combinations.”

“However, there are some concerns about his consistency in aiming points and hand placement, which could lead to occasional lapses in protection.”

The Mark = B+
VikingsTerritory

Jackson was the 39th-best player per the Consensus Big Board, and usually with that placement, a team can trade back and still get its man. However, the Houston Texans were reportedly chomping at the bit to pick Jackson, so we’ll give general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah some grace.

Overall, the pick is pretty fantastic, finally fixing the offensive line, even if guards can usually be drafted after Round 1.

The Mark = B
SI.com

Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell (left) and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah react during the game against Minnesota at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

SI.com’s Matt Vederame tossed a B at Minnesota and noted, “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.”

The Mark = “Above Average“
Pro Football Focus

PFF’s collective crew on Jackson to Minnesota: “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 Mark = B-
The 33rd Team

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman D. Jackson (74) during final warm ups at the Cotton Bowl Classic before their game against Texas Longhorns in the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025. © Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Ian Valentino preferred Jackson at a different OL spot: “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.”

The Mark = B-
Fox Sports

Rob Rang opined: “This is one of the stunners for me, given how the Vikings invested so much in free agency on interior offensive linemen. That said, I really like Jackson, one of my favorite blockers in this class because of his size, strength, durability and versatility. Protecting J.J. McCarthy is the top priority and the Vikings clearly are focused on that.”

Grades from NFL.com and CBS Sports can be found here.

Overall Grade = B+

A solid start for Adofo-Mensah, with a cumulative B+ for his troubles. He’ll get three more throws at the dartboard over the next two days.