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ESPN Roasts Vikings’ 2025 Rookie Class
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- ESPN Roasts Vikings’ 2025 Rookie Class
Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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.
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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.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Bo Richter and guard Donovan Jackson soak in the moment with traveling fans following a road victory, Dec 14, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The pair celebrated near the sideline as Minnesota wrapped up a physical matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, highlighting postgame energy and unity after a hard-fought win. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.
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 .
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"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:
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Round 1: Donovan Jackson (OG)
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Round 3: Tai Felton (WR)
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Round 4: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DT)
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Round 6: Kobe King (LB)
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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.)"
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"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:
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Donovan Jackson (probably)
The verdict is still out on these performers:
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Gavin Bartholomew
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Tai Felton
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Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
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Walter Rouse
Then, the naughty list. These players have not worked out:
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Andrew Booth
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Ed Ingram
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Kobe King
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.
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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:
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23rd Overall Pick in 2024
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Pick 167 in 2024
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2025 3rd-Rounder
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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.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is brought down by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner during second-half action, Oct 19, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Turner closed quickly to finish the tackle as Minnesota's defense applied consistent pressure, showcasing speed and physicality against a mobile quarterback in a tightly contested matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
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.
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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.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks with reporters at the TCO Performance Center, March 26, 2025, addressing early free agency decisions and outlooks toward the upcoming NFL Draft. The session followed roster reshaping moves and reflected on draft capital changes tied to recent trades, offering insight into Minnesota's long-term planning. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Generally speaking, Adofo-Mensah needs many players to be youthfully rejuvenated and contribute in 2026 to break even.
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Or — McCarthy can turn into a Top 12 quarterback. All will be forgiven.
