Vikings stand pat at No. 24 overall, draft Buckeyes’ Donovan Jackson to protect J.J. McCarthy

Ryan OLeary

Vikings stand pat at No. 24 overall, draft Buckeyes’ Donovan Jackson to protect J.J. McCarthy image

A dream scenario played out for the Minnesota Vikings on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

In need of a plug-and-play safety to deploy along with Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus, the Vikings had their pick of Georgia’s Malaki Starks, South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori and every other safety in this year’s draft class.

Ultimately, the team passed on going defense with an eye on solidifying the protection up front for new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

With the 24th overall pick, the Vikings stood pat and selected Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson, who spent time at left tackle for the Buckeyes in 2024 but should compete for Minnesota’s starting left guard spot with Blake Brandel immediately.

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Field Yates, and NFL Draft analyst for ESPN, loved the decision: "Donovan Jackson to the Vikings just might be my favorite pick of the night," Yates said. "By the end of this past season, he had put on elite tape at both guard AND left tackle. An extremely dependable, selfless player. He's tough, rugged and athletic. Excellent football player."

Jackson, fresh off a national title with OSU, should complete GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s offseason overhaul on the offensive line. Christian Darrisaw, coming off a season-ending ACL tear, will slot back in at left tackle when healthy, with Jackson the likely starter at left guard, Ryan Kelly at center, Will Fries at right guard and Brian O’Neill at right tackle.

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McCarthy should have all the support he needs to shine in Year 1 as Minnesota's starting quarerback. He’s surrounded by superb weapons in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, and the Vikings also solidified a two-headed monster at running back in Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason this offseason.

Minnesota could look to address its remaining needs in the secondary on Day 2 of the draft. The Vikings will next be on the clock at pick No. 97 overall, at the end of the third round.

Ryan OLeary

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.