The Minnesota Vikings left the 2025 NFL Draft with five rookies as well as a backup quarterback. With J.J. McCarthy primed to lead the Vikings for the next decade-plus, a backup quarterback with at least a little experience was needed. For a swap of fifth-round picks, the Vikings acquired Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks. Hopefully, he never sees a meaningful snap with the Vikings. They now have a backup with starting experience and he’s still on his rookie deal. That’s a very good thing for the Vikings. Backup quarterback was an annoying big need and now that need is filled. As for the draft, the Vikings added five players.
1. Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
3. Tai Felton, WR, Maryland
5. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL, Georgia
6. Kobe King, LB, Penn State
6. Gavin Bartholemew, TE, Pittsburgh
Sam Howell would be a sixth in-draft addition. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in his pre-draft press conference that he targeted six picks from the original four. He came out of the draft with six players. I guess that he hit his target.
As for the five drafted players, first-round pick Donovan Jackson is probably already considered the starting left guard. Immediately after the brutal playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Kevin O’Connell singled out needed improvements on the interior of the offensive line. Through free agency and the draft, the Vikings have a new offensive line interior.
LG Donovan Jackson
C Ryan Kelly
RG Will Fries
All is an unknown until the players are on the field and the games count. Add that interior to the outstanding exterior of tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, the Vikings now have a potentially outstanding offensive line.
Third-round receiver Tai Felton is a strong addition to the receiver room. He may also be in play for a kick/punt return role. He’s probably penciled in with free agent Rondale Moore right behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor. Felton could play an even larger receiving role if/when Addison is sitting a possible 2/3 game suspension.
Fifth-round defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is a versatile player that should immediately have a role in rotation behind starters Jonathan Allen, Harrison Phillips, and Javon Hargrave.
I wasn’t sure if the Vikings would seek linebacker help in this draft. When Kobe King was still available at their first pick in the sixth round, they had to grab him. He should provide solid depth behind Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr.
Perhaps the most underrated position of need this offseason was tight end. Pre-draft, the Vikings had only T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver on the roster. Gavin Bartholomew not only has an outstanding name. He also a talented football player.
The close of the draft is the start of the race to sign players that weren’t selected. With the Vikings adding only five drafted players and one traded player, there was a lot of roster space for undrafted players. The Vikings signed 19 of them.
Tyler Batty, OLB, BYU
Silas Bolden, WR, Texas
Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota
Logan Brown, OT, Kansas
Chaz Chambliss, OLB, Georgia
Oscar Chapman, P, Auburn
Zeke Correll, OL, NC State
Dontae Fleming, WR, Tulane
Keenan Garber, CB, Kansas State
Joe Huber, OL, Wisconsin
Austin Keys, LB, Auburn
Robert Lewis, WR, Auburn
Dorian Mausi, LB, Auburn
Bryson Nesbit, TE, North Carolina
Mishael Powell, S, Miami
Tre Stewart, RB, Jacksonville State
Zemaiah Vaughn, CB, Utah
Alex Williams, DL, Middle Tennessee State
Ben Yurosek, TE, Georgia
This Vikings regime has shown a willingness to populate the roster with undrafted players. There’s a good chance some of the above will be on the 2025 53-man roster. Oscar Chapman has a great opportunity to unseat Ryan Wright. There will be a training camp punting battle between the two. I like the roster chances of Tyler Batty, Logan Brown, Joe Huber, Tre Stewart, and Ben Yurosek. If Silas Bolden can earn kick/punt return duties, he might force the Vikings to keep an extra receiver.
Many of the draft pundits and wannabe talent evaluators had the Vikings targeting safety or cornerback in the draft. They expressed shock that those positions weren’t addressed with their opinions of the Vikings draft. It was no surprise to me that they came out of the draft without a cornerback or safety. They did add a couple corners and a safety after the draft. I believe that the national pundits have no clue what the Vikings have in safety Theo Jackson and perhaps corners Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern.
To the new Vikings, welcome to Minnesota.
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