It takes two to tango, but it was widely assumed the Minnesota Vikings would trade down from pick No. 24 in the first round on Thursday night. Having just four picks in the draft made trading out and acquiring more picks a practical necessity.
Not so fast. The Vikings stayed put at No. 24 and took Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson. The Houston Texans trading down from No. 25 for a notable haul, as the New York Giants moved up to take quarterback Jaxson Dart, made some people question why the Vikings didn't do the same.
Right or wrong, with only the benefit of hindsight to prove you right or wrong, there's something to be said for having some conviction and "getting your guy." Jackson was clearly one of the Vikings' guys in this draft, and they took the opportunity to complete the overhaul of their interior offensive line.
Jackson filled in at left tackle for the Buckeyes last season after fellow first-round pick Josh Simmons suffered a torn patella tendon.
In four College Football playoff games during Ohio State's run to the national title, Jackson allowed zero sacks and just two pressures over 126 pass blocking snaps (according to Pro Football Focus). The last three of those opponents, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame, were three of the 11 best teams in the country at getting to the quarterback.
So if Christian Darrisaw isn't ready for Week 1, Jackson is an option to fill in at left tackle.
In general, the reviews of the Vikings' selection of Jackson have been fine, and at least not overtly negative, with easy reference to them not trading down for more picks. Guard is also brushed off as a non-premium position, generally unworthy of investing a first-round pick in.
ESPN Analyst raves about Minnesota Vikings picking former Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson in the 2025 NFL Draft
In a review of the first round of this year's NFL Draft on Friday, ESPN's Benjamin Solak was asked if there was anything that hadn't yet been discussed that stood out to him. He wasted no time to talk about the Vikings.
"I thought for sure the Vikings would trade back out of 24. Only four picks in this draft, the least amount of draft capital. 25 ends up [being] the trade back, because at 24 the Vikings stayed and took Donovan Jackson, the left guard out of Ohio State [who] had to play left tackle for them all season.
Guard playing tackle, this is not gonna go well. [He was] holding his own against Abdul Carter. It was incredible.
They've completely overhauled their interior [offensive line], the Vikings have. As good as that offense was last year, left guard Donovan Jackson, center Ryan Kelly from the Colts, right guard Will Fries from the Colts, they have completely changed that offensive line.
The Vikings are going to RUN DA BAWL in 2025. J.J. McCarthy's going to attempt nine passes like he did against Penn State [in 2023] man. They are going to dominate up front with that group."
Jackson started nine games at left tackle last year, so it was a little less than "all season." But Solak's point stands, as he clearly loves Jackson as a prospect and really liked the Vikings going against the grain to stay out at No. 24 and take him.