5 Options at OL for the Vikings’ First Draft Pick
The 2025 NFL draft is quickly approaching. Following my RB and iDL options, it’s time to look at five options at OL for the Vikings’ first draft pick.
5 Options at OL for the Vikings’ First Draft Pick
The possibility of looking for a potential new starter at left guard should be high on Minnesota’s agenda.
The Vikings are well-set at tackle with Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, and the signing of veteran center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries gives the Vikings an impressive fourth-fifths on an offensive line. The one question mark is at left guard, where the incumbent starter is Blake Brandel.
It was a mixed season for Brandel after switching from tackle to guard in 2024. His competition for the role currently only comes from 2024 seventh-round pick Michael Jurgens, who never saw the field in his rookie year.
If Minnesota wants to complete a full OL revamp, these are the options likely available for the Vikings’ first draft pick — whether picking at 24 or choosing to trade down to recoup more ammo in this year’s draft.
Kelvin Banks Jr. (OT)
Kelvin Banks Jr is an NFL-caliber athlete who projects as a starter at tackle or guard, and his movement skills and run-blocking abilities give him positional versatility. His lack of arm length could hinder him at offensive tackle — where he played for Texas — but he projects as an impact starter at either tackle or guard. His lack of length may push him inside and put him on the Vikings’ radar.
At 6’5 and 320 lbs, Banks’ athletic ability is what stands out. As a pulling blocker, he is a heat-seeking missile at the second level. Banks has the balance and foot speed to mirror pass-rushers and hit appropriate depth, but he needs to work on his grip strength to maintain blocks longer. His versatility will add value to the Vikings roster, and he should compete for the left guard position in Year 1.
Grey Zabel (iOL)
No lineman in this year’s draft is more versatile than Grey Zabel. With snaps at every position across the OL in his college career at North Dakota State, he is considered versatile enough to play in any blocking scheme. A lack of length should see a kick inside to center or guard in a zone-blocking scheme, bringing the best out of Zabel and putting him in the Vikings’ sights.
He is a well-built prospect — 6’5 and 312 lbs — who wins in very translatable ways with light feet and the ability to mirror pass-rushers. Zabel has excellent grip strength to latch on and maintain blocks, and his patience in pass blocking is a big plus. With a draft projection in the late 20s, Zabel’s name should be high on the Vikings’ list as a good starter at a potential position of need who could be attainable after a small trade back.
Tyler Booker (G)
Alabama’s Tyler Booker is the best pure guard in this year’s draft. Foot speed and balance issues make him uncertain in a wide zone offense like Minnesota run, but there is a lot to like about a big, powerful, and competitive guard like Booker. At 6’5 and nearly 330 lbs, he can move defenders in the run game — an area the Vikings need to improve. Booker is praised for his competitiveness, leadership, high football IQ, and work ethic.
All plus points that the Vikings will value, the question mark will be how well he fits into the scheme.
Donovan Jackson (G)
A better fit for Minnesota could be Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson. He might not be the flashiest player, but his footwork, technique, and leadership give him Day 1 starter potential. At 6’4″ and 320 lbs, he combines sharp intelligence, explosive mobility, and powerful strength.
With solid athleticism and punchy hands, Jackson has a high floor, an ideal guard build, and enough consistency to project as an NFL starter. The Vikings could get a high-potential starter after drafting back into the early second round with Jackson — something likely to interest Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Tate Ratledge (G)
In some quarters, there are ideas of the Vikings trading back twice to bolster their current paltry number of four draft picks. That brings players lower down the projected draft boards into the Vikings crosshairs —like Georgia’s Tate Ratledge. A prospect that should be available much later on Day 2, Ratledge isn’t the most dynamic athlete, but his solid pass-blocking technique and downhill power in the run game give him a chance to be a starter in the NFL.
He was consistently one of the best interior pass protectors throughout his collegiate career while steadily improving in the run game. Ratledge has enough about him to compete for the left guard spot in Minnesota this season.
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