ESPN Roasts Vikings’ 2025 Rookie Class
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah does not have a fancy draft record, and according to ESPN, his struggles intensified in 2025. Adofo-Mensah onboarded a small rookie class this season due to a 2024 trade, and ESPN called the group the NFL’s third-worst.
Minnesota didn’t get enough immediate help from a class built to stabilize the roster fast, says ESPN.
When it comes to the draft for the Vikings since 2022, it’s almost always bad news.
ESPN’s Verdict Hits the Vikings’ 2025 Draft Class Hard
Vikings’ rookies in 2025? The class wasn’t any good compared to other franchises.
ESPN Ranks Vikings’ 2025 Draft Class as Third-Worst
Aaron Schatz evaluated every team’s 2025 rookie haul with the regular season in the rearview. The Vikings checked in at No. 30 per contributions from first-year players.
“Much like the Colts, almost all the rookie value for the Vikings came from a single first-round pick. Minnesota took guard Donovan Jackson with the No. 24 selection, and he was a quality starter for most of the season. Jackson finished with a 92.6% pass block win rate (average for guards) and a 76.9% run block win rate (well above average),” Schatz explained.
“And then … that’s about it. Undrafted free agent quarterback Max Brosmer was terrible when forced into action (14.0 QBR), and any other rookies had very minor impacts. This is Minnesota’s second straight year at or near the bottom of this list.”
As a refresher, these were the Vikings’ selections:
- Round 1: Donovan Jackson (OG)
- Round 3: Tai Felton (WR)
- Round 4: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DT)
- Round 6: Kobe King (LB)
- Round 6: Gavin Bartholomew (TE)
Jackson is a starter. Felton barely played on offense. Ingram-Dawkins showed flashes of promise but played minimally. King was released. And Bartholomew missed his whole rookie season with an injury.
That’s how you get the league’s third-worst rookie crop, per ESPN.
Schatz named the Saints as the team with the best 2025 haul, noting, “The Saints’ rookie class is headlined by second-round quarterback Tyler Shough, who ranked 21st with a 49.2 QBR in nine starts. That’s not quite ‘the Saints are set for years’ territory, but Shough has certainly earned the right to come back and try to improve as the starter. (Just remember that he’s already 26 years old.)”
“Shough’s blind side was protected by first-round left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who started all 17 games. He ranked above average in run block win rate (75.6%), although he was below average in pass block win rate (87.7%).”
A Familiar Scourge
Adofo-Mensah has been in charge of four Vikings drafts since taking over the club in 2022. While rookies and young players, in general, take a while to blossom, the man has hit on these players:
- Jordan Addison
- Levi Drake Rodriguez
- Donovan Jackson (probably)
- Jalen Nailor
- Will Reichard
- Dallas Turner
The verdict is still out on these performers:
- Gavin Bartholomew
- Tai Felton
- Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
- Michael Jurgens
- J.J. McCarthy
- Walter Rouse
- Jay Ward
Then, the naughty list. These players have not worked out:
- Brian Asamoah
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Andrew Booth
- Ty Chandler
- Lewis Cine
- Akayleb Evans
- Jaren Hall
- Ed Ingram
- Kobe King
- Vederian Lowe
- DeWayne McBride
- Nick Muse
- Esezi Otomewo
- Jaquelin Roy
For Adofo-Mensah to achieve an average general manager’s draft efficiency rate, the middle section — Bartholomew, Felton, Ingram-Dawkins, Jurgens, McCarthy, Rouse, and Ward — must turn into steady performers, at worst.
Otherwise, his 2025 efforts are merely a continuation of dreadfully bad draft performance. Most of Adofo-Mensah’s reputation will be attached to McCarthy’s development, and he desperately needs McCarthy to turn the corner into a franchise quarterback to save face.
The Dallas Turner Trade as the Culprit
Why was the 2025 class underwhelming? That answer is pretty straightforward: Adofo-Mensah traded the mid-round farm to get pass rusher Dallas Turner.
He supplied the Jacksonville Jaguars with these picks to obtain Turner:
- 23rd Overall Pick in 2024
- Pick 167 in 2024
- 2025 3rd-Rounder
- 2025 4th-Rounder
The Turner trade wiped out the 3rd and 4th Rounds for Minnesota in the 2025 NFL Draft, sans the compensatory draft pick from Sam Darnold’s exit that was used on the aforementioned Felton. To appease ESPN’s formula, the Vikings simply didn’t have enough human bodies; the Turner trade sent them to Jacksonville.
Therefore, to an extent — and not mentioned by ESPN — Turner was a de facto member of the 2025 draft class, at least per trade fallout.
Breakouts Needed
Adofo-Mensah can get the last laugh from the 2025 draft if a few things happen. Foremost, Felton must shapeshift into the Vikings’ WR3 in 2026 and beyond. Anything less will indicate that the 3rd-Round draft pick was not worth it. Ingram-Dawkins, the defensive tackle, must rise to a starter’s level or be the primary backup DT who sees ample action on defense.
And with tight end uncertainty circulating the Vikings — T.J. Hockenson could be an offseason roster cut — Bartholomew must contend for the TE1 or TE2 job sooner rather than later.
King won’t factor into the mix; Adofo-Mensah released him during the regular season, and the New York Jets pounced.
Generally speaking, Adofo-Mensah needs many players to be youthfully rejuvenated and contribute in 2026 to break even.
Or — McCarthy can turn into a Top 12 quarterback. All will be forgiven.
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