The Minnesota Vikings have selected offensive lineman Donovan Jackson at pick number 24 in the 2025 NFL draft. The Ohio State guard, who can also play at tackle, completes the revamp of the Vikings’ interior offensive line that began in free agency last month.

Jackson started 40 out of 55 games in his four years at Ohio State, predominantly at left guard, but slid over to left tackle as injury cover for the last nine games of the 2024 season. The year culminated with the Buckeyes winning the national championship for the first time since 2014. Jackson was pivotal to that success, putting in elite performances in both positions, leading to draft analysts rating him among the top prospects in this year’s class. He was a first-team All-Big Ten player in all three years as a starter, and in 2024 he was named a first-team All-American.

ESPN draft analyst Field Yates was full of praise for Jackson’s selection

Having signed center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries from the Indianapolis Colts in free agency, the Vikings were looking to complete the fivesome tasked with keeping J. J. McCarthy on his feet as his career takes off. Jackson is now expected to battle with Blake Brandel for the starting left guard spot, which – if he wins – should see the Vikings shape up like this in 2025:

  • LT Christian Darrisaw
  • LG Donovan Jackson
  • C Ryan Kelly
  • RG Will Fries
  • RT Brian O’Neill

However, with Darrisaw still recovering from torn knee ligaments suffered in the week 8 game against the Rams, Jackson could be used as an emergency left tackle, with Brandel retaining his spot at guard.

WATCH: Donovan Jackson College Highlights | Minnesota Vikings

Jackson is only the second offensive guard the Vikings have taken in the first round of the draft, after Hall of Famer Randall McDaniel was taken with the 19th pick in 1988. Coincidentally, the two other times the Vikings picked at 24th overall, they also took Ohio State players: in 1971, they took running back Leo Hayden, and in 1995, they took offensive tackle Korey Stringer, who tragically lost his life to heat stroke in training camp ahead of the 2001 season.

What do you think of the Vikings’ selection of Donovan Jackson? Were they right to take an offensive lineman in the first round? Let us know via social media or drop us an email at UKVikingsFanClub@gmail.com