Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2025 NFL Draft with only four picks, but left with five new rookies and backup quarterback Sam Howell. Still, not everyone was high on Minnesota’s haul; the class even ranked dead last according to one analyst.
ESPN Likes 2 Vikings Draft Picks
Meanwhile, ESPN’s draft pundit Matt Miller liked two picks that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made. He assembled a list of his 100 best “picks, steals, fits,” and the Vikes are listed twice.
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) holds the trophy following the 34-23 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 21, 2025.
At number 45 is Minnesota’s one big item from the draft: Ohio State’s left guard, Donovan Jackson.
Miller wrote, “This was a slight reach, but with Grey Zabel off the board, Minnesota grabbed the only remaining interior lineman with a starting rookie grade. Jackson’s experience at left guard, and the ability he showed at left tackle in a pinch last season, made him one of my favorite players to scout. He’s super steady and fills a giant need.”
Many viewed it as a slight reach because they had ranked him in the 30s on their boards, but with Tyler Booker and Grey Zabel off the board, he was just the next man up among interior linemen.
Nobody really dislikes the pick because Jackson isn’t a good football player. Actually, it’s pretty much universally considered a reasonable decision to add him to the roster.
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) pushes offensive lineman Josh Fryar while running a drill during the pro day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on March 26, 2025.
Jackson’s arrival completes the interior offensive line overhaul. Ryan Kelly signed in free agency, and the four-time Pro Bowler will take over for Garrett Bradbury at center. Fellow ex-Colts blocker Will Fries is expected to solidify the right guard position, which was handled by Ed Ingram and Dalton Risner last year.
The Ohio State alumnus has the athletic ability and the technique to become a long-term solution for the Vikings at their weak spot. At first, however, he has to snatch the starting spot from incumbent starter Blake Brandel, who is still on the team.
The other pick Miller liked? Sixth-rounder Kobe King, a linebacker out of Penn State.
He opined, “King can develop under defensive coordinator Brian Flores in the middle of the Vikings’ defense. Plus, I had him 53 spots higher on my board.”
Dec 21, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Kobe King (41) in action during the second half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
King could’ve been drafted a round or two earlier, and nobody would’ve batted an eye. The linebacker is a tackling machine, racking up 200 career tackles in his college career and 97 in his final season alone.
Adofo-Mensah praised him when he introduced his draft class to the media: “Kobe King, linebacker from Penn State: Really excited to add him. A lot of times in football, we make it harder than it is, but it’s a meat-and-potatoes game in some positions, and linebacker is one of them. You need somebody to tackle the person trying to advance the ball up the field against your team, whether that be special teams with the ball in his hands or defending the pass and he’s somebody that plays with range, tackles, is a really physical knockback-impact tackler.”
The young executive added that he views King as someone with the chance to develop into a starter down the line.
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Kobe King (41) tackles Boise State Broncos wide receiver Prince Strachan (17) during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Early in his career, the way to log snaps will be on special teams because Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman aren’t going anywhere.
King has the athletic skill set and the tackling ability to make a difference on Matt Daniels’ unit. One reason for his draft tumble could be his underwhelming coverage ability. That undoubtedly needs to be cleaned up for him to get snaps on defense. Still, he is a promising player for a sixth-rounder.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference CFB helped with this article.
