 against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Tyrion-Ingram-Dawklins.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=544,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Tyrion-Ingram-Dawklins.jpg”><figcaption><span>Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (93) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.</span></figcaption></figure>
<p>The Minnesota Vikings added approximately 25 new players over the weekend, replenishing the roster pipeline with youth via <a href=)
the 2025 NFL Draft and subsequent undrafted free agents.
ESPN Pounds the Table for 2 Vikings Rookies
The team had just four picks this year — it’s own doing — so the draft felt a little underwhelming in quantity.
But per quality, well, ESPN’s Field Yates wasn’t afraid to pound the table this week for two Vikings rookies: Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson and Georgia defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.
Field Yates on Donovan Jackson
After no shortage of analysis and predictions from Vikings fans leading up to the draft, Minnesota opted not to trade out of its No. 24 pick last Thursday and chose Jackson, one of the top offensive guards from the 2025 class.
And Yates loved it.
 lines up during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/USATSI_24653955.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/USATSI_24653955.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/USATSI_24653955.jpg” alt><figcaption>Nov 5, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) lines up during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>In an article detailing his favorite rookie selections around the NFL from each round, <a href=)
Yates wrote about Jackson to Minnesota: “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 in free agency and with this selection.”
Jackson’s Role for Vikings in 2025
Unless something rather strange or bad occurs this summer, Jackson should start right away for the 2025 Vikings. He’ll slide nicely into the team’s left guard slot, previously manned by Blake Brandel.
 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Donovan-Jackson.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=600,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Donovan-Jackson.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Donovan-Jackson.jpg” alt><figcaption>Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Brandel will likely return to his reserve roots and become one of the NFL’s best backup offensive guards.</p>
<p>Jackson features position flexibility, meaning he could play offensive tackle in a pinch, an interesting factoid as Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw recovers from a torn ACL.</p>
<p>If Jackson doesn’t start this September, it will raise red flags. </p>
<h2>Yates High on Ingram-Dawkins, Too</h2>
<p>Yates didn’t limit his Vikings-themed praise to Jackson. He unleashed positivity on Georgia’s Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins well, a man Minnesota found in Round 5. </p>
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