4 Lessons Learned So Far from Vikings Draft
The Minnesota Vikings have two nights of the draft in the books, so far selecting Ohio State offensive guard Donovan Jackson to lock down Kevin O’Connell’s trenches, and Tai Felton of Maryland for WR3 or WR4 duty down the road.
4 Lessons Learned from Vikings Draft
The team embarks on Day No. 3 of the event Saturday, on deck to pick two more players — both from Round 5 and within three picks of each other.
Historically speaking, late-rounders have very little impact, so what onlookers have seen so far from Minnesota is the red meat.
And here’s what we’ve learned about the Vikings through Round 3.
1. Vikings Not Kidding about “Building the Trenches”
One hundred and three days ago, the Vikings embarrassingly set an NFL playoff record for sacks surrendered to an opponent — nine to the Los Angeles Rams in a Wildcard postseason facelplant.
Christian Darrisaw was on the shelf with a torn ACL, but that alone didn’t excuse the gridiron malfeasance.
After the loss, head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters that his interior offensive line needed wholesale improvement, and many interpreted the blunt comments as a catalyst for change. “How many new linemen will they get?” fans wondered.
Well, the answer is three.
Minnesota used free agency to onboard two Indianapolis Colts trenchmen, center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries. Onlookers considered the project probably over, leaning toward the assumption that Blake Brandel would start again at left guard.
Wrong.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah selected Donovan Jackson from Ohio State on Thursday night, the third part of the trifecta. The interior offensive line reform is complete — three new faces. “Building the trenches” is the Vikings’ new motto and not just a fancy slogan.
2. National Media Got Safety in Round 1 Really Wrong
When mock draft predictions sharpened within the last week, most of the who’s who of NFL media and draft forecasting picked a safety — Malaki Starks of Georgia or Nick Emmanowri of South Carolina — for the Vikings.
Incorrect.
Minnesota drafted zero Round 1 safeties and didn’t even take one, like Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman Jr., with the final pick of Round 3.
National mock draft heads often get Minnesota’s Round 1 pick right, but 2025 was not the year for it.
3. Content with CBs
When the offseason began, drafting a cornerback early in the draft felt like a wise and probable outcome. After all, Stephon Gilmore was trending toward retirement and no reunion in the Twin Cities, and Shaquill Griffin was scheduled for free agency.
Neither re-signed.
But even with that knowledge, Minnesota did not use Round 1 on a cornerback and is down to Round 5 if it wants one at all.
The coaching staff really enjoys newcomer free agent Isaiah Rodgers and doesn’t classify him as a lottery ticket. Everyone in Eagan is evidently happy with the cornerback room as is.
4. Defensive Tackle Can Wait Another Year
Mentioned above, national media pegged Minnesota for a safety. Local mock drafters and fans tended to foresee a defensive tackle — probably Kenneth Grant (Michigan), Walter Nolen (Ole Miss), or Derrick Harmon.
Adofo-Mensah swerved from both defensive selections, instead choosing Jackson, an offensive lineman.
Two new defensive tackles signed on the purple team’s dotted line in free agency: Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Both are over the age of 30. Adding a rookie DT to develop for a few years felt logical.
Yet, after the Jackson and Felton picks, defensive tackle youth will have to wait until 2026, if at all.
5. A Jalen Nailor Succession Plan?
O’Connell and his coaching staff have spoken effulgently about Jalen Nailor this offseason — a tradition of sorts in the spring and summer.
Nailor performed decently in 2024, and after O’Connell predicted big things for him in 2025, most bystanders crossed wide receiver off the list in the draft.
Adofo-Mensah responded by drafting Felton, a Maryland speedster of decent size and wonderful route-running ability. Nailor could still provide a marvelous campaign in 2025, but if he does not, Felton is in the house to scoop his job in 2026 and beyond. Nailor will be a free agent next offseason.
Wide receiver, alas, was a priority.
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