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Kevin O'Connell on Donovan Jackson
”Just love everything about his play style,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “He’s got length, he’s got power. And then, the little things that jump out at you about a player’s willingness to jump over to left tackle, and the next week, he’s blocking the third pick [Penn State’s Abdul Carter] in tonight’s draft. He didn’t necessarily need to do that in a year where he was going to be evaluated and drafted the way he was. The idea of Donovan walking into that O-line room that now has some pretty impactful players across the board, that’s something that was a goal. I think tonight really put a stamp on a plan that we set out to accomplish.”
Lots of talk about defense, but as many of their favorites went off the board, the Vikings filled the last hole on their offensive line, selecting Ohio State's Donovan Jackson. He played left guard for most of his career with the Buckeyes. He shifted to left tackle late last season when Josh Simmons was lost for the season with an injury, and won the national championship as a tackle.
Jackson played 2,571 snaps for the Buckeyes and was a starter for three seasons. He allowed only five sacks.
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah: "Great offensive lines are team lifters."
On why Donovan Jackson arrives as franchise's first first-round guard since 1988: Look at all OL more as "protectors" ... guard importance increases with DT play, free agent prices ... Plus, "the run game is cool again."
Why the Vikings didn't trade back
The Texans and Rams, the two teams picking after the Vikings, traded back, sending their picks to the Giants and Falcons, respectively. But the Vikings didn't. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said talks heated up right before they picked. Instead of dealing back, they stayed at No. 24 to make Donovan Jackson the fifth offensive linemen they’ve taken in the first two rounds since 2018.
"I think the mindset is, ‘If the play is to hit the ball down the fairway, let’s go do that,” Adofo-Mensah said. “If it's gonna be four picks of four positions that we really want, four great character people, or skill sets we require, let's go do that and we'll figure out everything else out.”
Minnesota selected Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson with the No. 24 pick in Thursday night’s first round. He played guard and tackle last season but is most likely to play guard to begin his pro career.
His arrival completes an entire overhaul of the interior. Ryan Kelly was signed to be the starting center. Minnesota added Will Fries to play right guard. Jackson will enter as the favorite to start at left guard, setting up for a completely different group from the one that lost to the Rams.
Jackson started 40 of 55 games across his four-year career with the Buckeyes, splitting time between left tackle and left guard. A key member of Ohio State’s 2024 national championship roster, Jackson earned first-team All-American honors last season after being named a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2022 and 2023.
‘The Beast’ breakdown
Jackson was ranked No. 48 in Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about Jackson in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“A three-year starter at Ohio State, Jackson played both left tackle and left guard in former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s diverse run game (gap/zone, pin-pulls, counters, etc.). Highly recruited out of Texas, he didn’t ascend to meet some of his sky-high expectations at left guard, but he was the unsung hero of the Buckeyes’ 2024 national championship run after kicking out to left tackle to replace an injured Josh Simmons for the final nine games. Following a rough first start against Abdul Carter and Penn State, he played at a high level the rest of the way, including an impeccable playoff run.
“Long considered an interior prospect by NFL teams, his left tackle tape was better than what he showed at left guard, forcing NFL teams to reevaluate his best positional fit. Though not an overpowering drive blocker, Jackson moves well out of his stance with the flexibility/length/strength combination to latch and occupy defenders with his hands. His processing gradually improved each season, and he didn’t look like a fish out of water in space. Overall, Jackson’s sustain and recovery hiccups must be addressed by an NFL coaching staff, but his athletic traits and play strength should translate well to the next level. He projects as an NFL starter, and his tape shows a player with true tackle-guard versatility.”
How he fits
The one position on the Vikings offensive line that was in question was left guard. Minnesota added Kelly and Fries via free agency. Tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are two of the team’s stalwarts. The Vikings could have run it back with Blake Brandel at left guard, but Jackson steps in as an immediate answer. It’s early, and this is just on paper, but Minnesota has pieced together an exceptional front for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
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