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With 2025 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2025 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Minnesota Vikings, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the Minnesota Vikings rookies?
- Donovan Jackson (OL, Ohio State)
- Tai Felton (WR, Maryland)
- Tyrion Ingram–Dawkins (EDGE, Georgia)
- Kobe King (LB, Penn State)
- Gavin Bartholomew (TE, Pitt)
Minnesota Vikings Draft Class Grade:
The Minnesota Vikings received a B draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Vikings Rookies Will Make An Impact?
Minnesota wisely prioritized the offensive line with the selection of Donovan Jackson (first round), who should start immediately at left guard.
Jackson primarily played left guard throughout his career at Ohio State but shifted to left tackle midway through the 2024 season and was among the best in the country the rest of the way.
When lined up at left tackle and his quarterback took a traditional dropback, Jackson’s blown-block rate of 1.4% was the eighth lowest in the nation at the position.
Although that versatility may not be needed immediately, 30-year-old Brian O’Neill only has two seasons remaining on his contract. Assuming Jackson performs well at guard, he’ll be a candidate to shift into that slot in two years.
In the meantime, Jackson will provide a substantial boost to Minnesota’s run game at left guard.
Ohio State ball carriers averaged an absurd 5.0 yards before contact when running behind Jackson at left guard, the best rate of any Power Four guard 一 only four others out of 174 qualifiers were over 4.0 yards.
Tai Felton (third round) adds some much-needed depth to the receiving corps. He’ll open the season as the fourth option, but is probably more of a developmental project than someone capable of pushing for meaningful playing time.
Felton has the speed to stretch the field, but his route technique is inconsistent, and he hasn’t proven to be a reliable pass catcher to this point in his career.
During his two years as a full time starter at Maryland, he generated a catch rate 2.3% below expected based on route adjusted data.
In the short term, Felton’s best chance at seeing the field might be as a return specialist.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (fifth round) is a good fit as a reserve in Brian Flores’ multiple-front defense.
Although Ingram-Dawkins is still a work in progress, he had over 200 snaps on the interior and on the edge last season at Georgia.
As a pass-rusher, he’s more effective on the interior (6.1% pressure rate), but could also play on the edge on early downs.
Kobe King (sixth round) is a small but athletic linebacker who plays like an oversized safety, which tends to be the type Flores likes at the position.
Although King doesn’t quite have the athletic traits of Blake Cashman, he fits in that mold and should be a capable backup.
Gavin Bartholomew (sixth round) will effectively serve as T.J. Hockenson’s backup, though he’s likely to be a third-string tight end on the depth chart behind Hockenson and Josh Oliver.
Minnesota values Oliver’s blocking ability, and Bartholomew is lacking in that area. However, Bartholomew is a four-year starter and a decent athlete who could see some action as a pass-catcher if needed.
It’s concerning that Minnesota failed to address this position in free agency and then waiting until its final selection to add a tight end 一 especially with an ACL tear in Hockenson’s recent past.
Based on route adjusted data, Bartholomew’s catch rate was 12% below expected over his three full seasons as a starter at Pittsburgh. That rate fell below average in each of those three seasons and was 9% below expected during his senior year, showing no signs of growth.
This is a tough class to evaluate because the selection of Jackson was a home run for Minnesota, who needed to solidify the offensive line in front of J.J. McCarthy.
However, there were plenty of other holes to fill, and a trade down to acquire more picks would have had a greater overall impact on the roster. And since each of the two picks following Minnesota’s selection were traded, there were almost certainly offers on the table the Vikings turned down.
It would be a surprise if anyone other than Jackson develops into a long-term starter from this class, so it’s tough to praise this class as a whole. But if Jackson performs well and the offensive line keeps McCarthy clean, maybe it was worth it.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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