The Minnesota Vikings made the unexciting but necessary choice of selecting guard Donovan Jackson with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Last season, Vikings fans watched in horror as they allowed nine sacks in a playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams,

At the NFL owners’ meetings last month, coach Kevin O’Connell alluded to the possibility the Vikings would bring in competition for Blake Brandel at left guard; the fact they used their first-round pick on a guard for the first time since they selected Randall McDaniel in 1988 would suggest Jackson might not have to wait long to start.

The Vikings have meticulously balanced the formula for the past several seasons and will see major dividends next draft. Minnesota landed the highest compensatory pick in this year's draft, No. 97, after letting Kirk Cousins walk in free agency a year ago.