Vikings Fans Cringe at Mel Kiper’s Latest Mock Draft
At this juncture of the NFL calendar, at least one prominent mock draft hits the digital stratosphere per day.
Vikings Fans Cringe at Mel Kiper’s Latest Mock Draft
Sometimes multiple.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper posted yet another mock draft, and the best way to interpret it? Folks liked his previous one better — the Jahdae Barron pick, a cornerback from Texas.
This go-round, Kiper assigned offensive guard Donovan Jackson to Minnesota with the 24th overall pick.
And folks cringed.
Kiper Says Donovan Jackson for Vikings
Kiper chose Jackson for Minnesota and wrote, “Minnesota signed guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly away from the Colts. It’s a big improvement on the interior offensive line. Let’s take it a step further. Jackson would replace Blake Brandel at the other guard spot, and he has the versatility to kick outside if needed.”
“He did so this past season when Josh Simmons got hurt for Ohio State. That seems relevant given left tackle Christian Darrisaw is recovering from a left knee injury. Jackson is a plug-and-play interior blocker with great agility and technique; he allowed four sacks over 40 career starts.”
Most fans have their hearts set on North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel if Minnesota selects a guard.
“The Vikings do not have a second-round pick, but they could find a solid cornerback at the end of Round 3,” Kiper added.
The Reaction … Isn’t Favorable
A popular aggregator on X, The Purple Persuasion, mentioned about Jackson to Minnesota per Kiper: “In his final mock draft before the real thing, Mel Kiper has the Vikings sticking and picking OSU G Donovan Jackson at pick No. 24. Definitely not a fan of this pick at 24. How do you feel?”
The Vikings Uncensored Podcast commented, “If I’m taking a G at 24, it’s either Booker or Zabel.”
@33lunasea added, “Yuck. Don’t like this pick at all. It would be better to trade back and then pick someone else.”
Donovan Jackson Scouting Report
Jackson is 22 and 6’4″ + 315 pounds. He can play guard and tackle, showcasing impressive versatility. He’s NFL-ready and excels with run-blocking more than pass-protection as he enters the pros.
NFL Draft Buzz‘s K.C. Martinez scouted Jackson: “Jackson shows the makings of a capable NFL offensive lineman who could develop into a starter with proper coaching. His performance against elite competition – particularly that four-game championship stretch where he showed well in pass protection – demonstrates potential, though there’s still room for technical refinement.
“The positional flexibility he displayed stepping out to tackle during Ohio State’s title run adds intrigue to his evaluation.”
If Kiper has it right and Jackson turns purple, he’d likely slide into Minnesota’s left guard spot.
“Jackson projects best at guard in a system that can develop his natural tools. His experience in Ohio State’s diverse run scheme gives him foundation in both gap and zone concepts, while his proven ability to handle edge duties in a pinch offers roster flexibility. The raw materials are there,” Martinez added.
A Reach for Minnesota?
Why are some low on Jackson for the Vikings at pick No. 24? It’s pretty simple — most big boards list him as an early 2nd-Round prospect.
Folks don’t want Minnesota to “reach” for Jackson. Conversely, if he is indeed “their guy,” Minnesota could probably trade down, pick up a couple of mid-round draft picks, and select Jackson around pick No. 35.
Jackson ranks 37th on the current Consensus Big Board.
Blake Brandel — or Other Rookies
If the regular season started this weekend, the Vikings would showcase Blake Brandel or Michael Jurgens at left guard — probably Brandel. He played well last season until Christian Darrisaw tore his ACL, but his performance dipped when Darrisaw hit the shelf.
Should Minnesota desire a non-Jackson guard, rookies Grey Zabel and Tyler Booker are floating around Round 1 and 2, while free agents Will Hernandez, Brandon Scherff, and Shaq Mason remain unsigned.
The NFL draft is 16 days away.
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