Vikings Should Get Decade of Stability from Rookie

Sep 22, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings fans watch as their team plays the Cleveland Browns at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Browns win 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports.

No draft prospect is ever a sure thing, but some prospects are seen as safer bets than others. The consensus on the Vikings’ 2025 first-round pick is that they have a safe bet.

VikingsTerritory looks at a rookie prospect who should give the Vikings a decade of stability at one position.

In an article on ESPN, an anonymous NFL executive said of Donovan Jackson, “You know why I really like this pick? He’s going to be a solid 10-year starter…not sure he’s elite, but he will make a few Pro Bowls and be a really good player for a long time.” That should be music to Vikings fans’ ears.

Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman D. Jackson (74) hugs offensive line coach Justin Frye in the closing seconds of the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Sure, we all hope to find elite players in the draft, but the potential of 10 years of solidarity in what has been a problem area in Minnesota is not to be sniffed at, and who knows? Perhaps Jackson will rise to the level of an elite guard, but for now, if he can come in and be solid, that will be an upgrade for the Vikings.

The Vikings’ IOL Woes

The IOL has been a problem in Minnesota for a long time, and they finally addressed it in a big way this offseason. As well as drafting Jackson in the first round, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made the signings of Ryan Kelly and Will Fries in free agency — a complete IOL revamp. The Vikings’ OL capitulated in their playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams last season, and head coach Kevin O’Connell has seen enough. Post-match, he pointed to that area as one that needed to improve, and he wasn’t kidding.

Minnesota’s trenches weren’t bad all the time last season, but when they were bad, they were terrible. Hindered by the loss of star left tackle Christian Darrisaw to injury for the second half of the season, the unit struggled in the big moments. The habit of completely whiffing on blocks was all too visible, and they did it more than any other team.