For the Minnesota Vikings, the 2025 NFL Draft was interesting, as they had little room for error in making their selections.
The Vikings entered the draft with just four selections, but were able to acquire an extra pick to make it five picks when all was said and done. Most of the heavy lifting was done on day three, with three of the five picks coming in the fifth and sixth rounds.
With Minnesota's selections, did they get good value for the ones they picked? Two of their picks were highlighted as top choices.
ESPN's Field Yates went through each round of the NFL Draft and selected his five favorite picks. The Vikings had two selections make the final cut, with one in the first round and one in the fifth round.
Which Minnesota Vikings selections were Field Yates' favorite from the 2025 NFL Draft?
Donovan Jackson - OG (Ohio State)
Starting in the first round, Yates was high on Donovan Jackson being selected with the Vikings' 24th overall pick. Yates praised Minnesota for backing up their word on getting J.J. McCarthy some much-needed protection entering 2025.
"I was bullish on Jackson during the predraft process, ranking him No. 20 overall on my board. The appeal for me was his versatility after he starred at both guard and left tackle this past season, as well as his toughness and physicality.
The Vikings talked all offseason about being better in the trenches ahead of J.J. McCarthy's inaugural season at starting quarterback; they lived up to that promise throughout free agency and now with this selection."
Jackson's versatility is a massive strength. Last year, he started nine games at left tackle and five at left guard with the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes. He was named to the All-Big Ten team three consecutive years and was a second-team All-American in 2024.
Minnesota will look to start Jackson as left guard for Blake Brandel, who struggled last year in that position. The offensive line will look completely different compared to the previous season, but it will improve thanks to Jackson's addition.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins - DL (Georgia)
Moving on to the fifth round, one of Yates' five favorite picks from this round was Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins out of Georgia. Yates credits a lack of playing time as to why Ingram-Dawkins fell in the draft, but he has the talent to cause havoc in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' scheme.
"Ingram-Dawkins was part of a deeply talented Georgia defensive front, so he was infrequently asked to simply focus on the quarterback. That led to just five sacks in the past three seasons, but I like his combination of length, power, and versatility.
He logged 219 snaps as an edge defender in 2024 and 294 at defensive tackle. Few NFL coordinators use more creativity up front than Brian Flores, who probably believes in Ingram-Dawkins' multiplicity as a player."
The Vikings' third draft selection won two national championships and served up 17 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and three sacks last season. Ingram-Dawkins made just 20 tackles in his previous three seasons.
Minnesota has a solid starting lineup on the defensive line, so it will be more about who Ingram-Dawkins can beat out at tackle.
At 280 pounds, he could move to defensive end and challenge Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez. Taki Taimani and Travis Bell are the other tackles Ingram-Dawkins would have to fight for roster spots with, but he has a chance to prove himself in the preseason.