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Anonymous NFL Coach Gushes Over Minnesota Vikings Rookie
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- Anonymous NFL Coach Gushes Over Minnesota Vikings Rookie
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings are on a month-long break, after completing minicamp last week and forgoing their final round of voluntary offseason team activities (OTAs), which had been scheduled for early this week.
That means, the next time coaches and players gather at TCO Performance Center in Eagan in late-July, it will be for the start of 2025 training camp. That's right, and the Vikings first preseason game is scheduled for just over 7 weeks from now, on August 9 vs Houston .
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Over this rare NFL dead period, it's a perfect time to look back at the busy ( and expensive ) few months the was their 2025 offseason. When August rolls around and Minnesota Vikings fans begin to turn their focus back toward football, they will quickly be reminded how much construction was done to this roster since 2024, especially in the trenches.
New Minnesota Vikings trench era
On defense, Harrison Phillips finally got some support on the interior of the defensive line, with the signings of JaVon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen . On offense, the Vikings tripled down on the interior, upgrading both guards and at center.
One of those "upgrades", however, has yet to prove himself as a worthy NFL offensive lineman. Donovan Jackson — who the Minnesota Vikings selected No. 24 overall out of Ohio State during the 2025 NFL Draft — has been taking first team reps over 2024 starter Blake Brandel .
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
That seems like a lot of pressure to put on your rookie first rounder, especially given how much of a microscope that position will be under this fall, as it tries to hold up in protection for the future of this franchise, JJ McCarthy , and open holes for running backs that KOC promises will be more utilized this season, as opposed to past years.
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But if you're wondering why the Minnesota Vikings seem so confident in what Donovan Jackson will be, both now and in the future, just ask an NFL coach who would know. And just in case you don't have access to one of those, Jeremy Fowler (ESPN) has you covered.
Anonymous NFL coordinator loves Donovan Jackson
The former Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, turned top NFL insider, talked to an anonymous coordinator recently who is extremely confident in Jackson's future. Mr. Coordinator stopped short of labeling Jackson as "elite", but predicted he'll being a 10-year starter who makes multiple Pro Bowls along the way.
"You know why I really like [the Donovan Jackson] pick? He's going to be a solid 10-year starter. Not sure he's elite, but he will make a few Pro Bowls and be a really good player for a long time."
Related: Minnesota Vikings Sign New O-Lineman, Cut Safety
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So, out is longtime center, Garrett Bradbury . In is veteran bulldozer, Ryan Kelly . Along with their new OL leader, Kelly brought with him from Indianapolis , right guard Will Fries , who many considered to be a top five free agent this offseason, had he not been coming off a major leg injury.
As long as both those guys are healthy, the Minnesota Vikings know what they will get now, from four of their five O-linemen, Kelly, Fries, Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill. That's way more than we've been able to say in a very long time.
Can Donovan Jackson hang on new-look Minnesota Vikings o-line…?
But what about Jackson… can he hang? Well, beyond this anonymous NFL coach, evidence points to that answer being yes. In three seasons as a starter in Columbus, Jackson allowed only 5 sacks and 42 total pressures, according to PFF .
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The 6'4″, 300 lb Jackson was drafted as a guard and that is where he will play, to start his NFL career. But Jackson showed an incredible amount of versatility and skill his senior year at OSU, when he accepted a mid-season move to left tackle, a risky team-first decision that could have hurt his draft stock, had he failed to perform.
Of course, that's not what happened. Instead, it was a choice that proved fruitful, in the end. Donovan Jackson posted a 71.8 overall PFF grade (70.2 RBLK, 69.9 PBLK), even with the position change, numbers consistent with what he put up during his time at guard.
2 mins of the NEWEST Vikings Donovan Jackson beating people up at LG. pic.twitter.com/JhnYaYfKfl
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) April 25, 2025
It was a move that helped launch him up draft boards and eventually into the lap of the first round lap of the Minnesota Vikings. Now, he'll have to show that versaitility again, by shifting back to guard and holding up against the best interior defensive linemen in the world.
No doubt, his ability to successfully make the transition from college to NFL will play huge into his new team's success in 2025 and beyond.
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