Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Ireland; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches during an NFL International Series game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
In April, the Minnesota Vikings and all other teams attempted to find the next generation of franchise players. With the first pick, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said “no” to any trade offers and selected Donovan Jackson, a guard out of Ohio State.
The Vikings’ Most Disappointing Rookie Revealed
Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) walks up to the line of scrimmage, protected by left tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) and left guard Donovan Jackson (74), during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
In his first seven games with the squad (he missed two because of wrist surgery), Jackson has been a promising player who has the talent to be a long-time starter for the organization. The other four draft picks, however, have had just a limited impact so far.
It’s not a hard choice at all to name him the best Vikings rookie because the other picks simply haven’t gotten much playing time, perhaps excluding undrafted rookie Myles Price, the solid punt returner (his two fumbles against Baltimore aside).
Conversely, a debate can be had about the most disappointing rookie.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports is named linebacker Kobe King, and it’s quite obvious why. The man is no longer around.
Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III (86) scores a touchdown as Minnesota Vikings linebacker Kobe King (41) and defensive end Alex Williams (99) attempt to make the stop during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
He wrote, “Aside from Jackson, Vikings draft picks have played a combined 133 snaps on either offense or defense this season. They only had five picks and one of them, sixth-round linebacker Kobe King, is now with the Jets.”
King was drafted in the sixth round out of Penn State. The linebacker was viewed as a playmaker at the line of scrimmage with some coverage issues. In training camp, he won the competition against Brian Asamoah, who was cut and claimed by the Titans.
King appeared in five games, playing mostly on special teams besides three snaps in the Week 3 blowout against the Jake Browning-led Bengals. Last month, the Vikings surprisingly cut him, and the Jets claimed him off waivers. If he’s active on gameday, he has played a comparable special teams and depth role under New York’s head coach, Aaron Glenn.
Tennessee Titans running back Jordan Mims (24) is stopped by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Kobe King (41) during the third quarter of an NFL pre-season game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025.
Adofo-Mensah vouched for the defender right after the draft. His initial praise created some buzz.
“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.”
In the preseason, King got a lot of run, but he seemingly didn’t convince the coaching staff that he can be a long-term asset for the franchise. Although it’s possible they thought they could sneak him past waivers and stash him on the practice squad.
Fellow draftee Tai Felton — a third-rounder — is a special teamer. He has not gotten many opportunities on offense, which is understandable considering the other wideouts on the roster. Defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins has shown some flashes of a high ceiling. He turned 22 in the summer and has time to develop.
Tight end Gavin Bartholomew could have challenged King. He has yet to play for the Vikings due to a back injury.
King has four tackles on his Vikings resume.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.