PFF Chooses Big Defender as Favorite Vikings Draft Pick
The aftermath of the NFL draft always brings a host of opinions on what was good and what was not. Pro Football Focus has given its opinion on its favorite draft pick for all 32 teams. PFF looked to the fifth round when making its choice for Minnesota.
PFF Chooses Big Defender as Favorite Vikings Draft Pick
It seems PFF were in the camp of expecting Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to trade back to gain more picks — though they do admit to understanding the wish to consolidate the offensive line with a starting left guard.
They do not like Adofo-Mensah’s decision to draft wide receiver Tai Felton in the third round. However, their favorite Vikings draft pick is defensive end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. Minnesota selected the former Georgia Bulldog in the fifth round with the 139th overall pick.
Here is what PFF had to say about their choice;
I would have preferred the Vikings to trade back from No. 24, but Donovan Jackson gives them an ideal starting five, so I get it. I did not love the Tai Felton pick, but Ingram-Dawkins is a good bet. He is a high-scoring athlete (weight-adjusted) who can play anywhere from 3-technique to 5-technique
Sometimes a player needs to land in the right spot to succeed, and this could be the case with Ingram-Dawkins. His more diminutive stature for the position – 6’5 and 276 lbs – makes an every-down role on the inside seem difficult, and he doesn’t have the pass rush skillset to be a success on the edge right now.
He needs a defensive mastermind who knows how to get the best out of players. Specifically, one who can use an edge defender to be effective from the interior. Step forward, Brian Flores, who used Jihad Ward in this role last season.
What Ingram-Dawkins Offers
Georgia has produced a glut of good defensive players in recent years. Despite obvious talent and potential as a pass-rusher, Ingram-Dawkins was down the pecking order in Georgia’s deeply talented defensive front. His potential is largely untapped, hence being available in the fifth round.
He split his time between defensive end and defensive tackle in college. That kind of flexibility is valued in Minnesota, where Flores isn’t shy about moving his players around the alignment to confuse the opposition.
Ingram-Dawkins showcased his athleticism at the NFL combine with impressive scores, earning him a 9.58 RAS that will no doubt have caught the Vikings’ attention. His acceleration of the line of scrimmage is an asset that can be molded into something special with a refined pass-rush skillset. He also has the strength to be solid in run defense. Minnesota did not need immediate help on the DL, but with the age of some of their starters, they did need an eye on the future.
This is what the Ingram-Dawkins pick gives them: a development player with the potential to become a starter a year or two down the line.
Ingram-Dawkins’ Role in 2025
Minnesota invested heavily in its defensible line in free agency with the signings of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Those two give the Vikings the interior pass rush they have been missing alongside Harrison Phillips — the starting nose tackle. The competition that Ingram-Dawkins will face for a depth role behind those three is headlined by Jalen Redmond, who had a mini-breakout season in his first year playing in the NFL.
Redmond was particularly strong against the run but also showed some pass-rush potential while managing one sack last year and garnering an overall grade from PFF of an impressive 77.2. We should expect Redmond to be the fourth DL on the depth chart.
Depending on how the Vikings construct their final 53-man roster, the final one or two places will be fought out between Ingram-Dawkins and Levi, Drake Rodriguez, Taki Taimani, Travis Bell, Jonathan Harris, and Alex Williams. As this year’s fifth-round draft pick, Ingram-Dawkins will be afforded every opportunity to make the roster. The rookie seemingly has the right skill set to take up the mantle of the now departed Ward’s role of being the edge defender who plays inside on obvious passing downs.
The rookie will have the chance to progress into a significant backup role as the season unfolds, with a view to more playing time in 2026 and beyond if all goes well.
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