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The Minnesota Vikings only had five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they maximized them by addressing needs. They hope to get at least one Day 1 starter and another immediate contributor from the class. If the other three can be regular contributors in 2025, the class will be a success.
Let's grade each of the five picks for the Vikings.
Kevin O'Connell called out the interior offensive line after the Vikings' wild card loss to the LA Rams. Jackson is the third new addition, and he will be expected to start when the 2025 season begins.
Jackson proved his versatility and selflessness in 2024, swinging out to left tackle when Josh Simmons went down. The two sacks he allowed in 2024 came at left tackle when he faced Penn State EDGE rusher Abdul Carter, the third-overall pick in this year's draft. Jackson was the 39th player on the Consensus Big Board, but he fills the one glaring starting spot the Vikings needed to address.
The Vikings traded down from pick 97 to 102, while also moving up from 187 to 142, before acquiring Felton. That will be included in this grade. Felton adds a horizontal threat to the Vikings' offense, as he is excellent at taking screens and short passes upfield before evading defenders (26 missed tackles forced in 2024, per PFF). He will threaten Jalen Nailor for the WR3 spot in 2025. Felton ranked 113th on the Consensus Big Board.
Ingram-Dawkins didn't have a ton of production at Georgia (four sacks in four seasons), but his measurables are enticing. He had a 9.79 RAS score, the third-highest among all draft-eligible interior defensive linemen. Ingram-Dawkins, ranked 172nd overall on the Consensus Big Board, won't be counted on to contribute right away due to the veteran presence the Vikings have in front of him. Still, if he can grow and match his measureables with his play, Minnesota may have hit a home run.
Slotted one spot behind Ingram-Dawkins on the Consensus Big Board, the Vikings landed King with their first of two sixth-round picks. King is better moving downhill, posting an 89.2 run-defense grade in 2024. He also had 15 coverage stops, though. King won't be counted on to start immediately in front of Blake Cashman or Ivan Pace, Jr., but the two linebackers combined to miss nine games in 2024. At worst, the Vikings have a guy who can provide on special teams as a rookie while learning the defense.
The Vikings only had two tight ends entering the draft. Bartholmew isn't going to supplant T.J. Hockenson or Josh Oliver on the depth chart any time soon, but he has the athletic profile to grow into a reliable target in the future (sixth-highest RAS score among tight ends). He was only rated 303rd on the final Consensus Big Board, but did peak at 191.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: What grade did we give every Vikings draft pick in 2025?
Continue reading...
Let's grade each of the five picks for the Vikings.
1st Round, 24th Overall: Donovan Jackson, Guard
Kevin O'Connell called out the interior offensive line after the Vikings' wild card loss to the LA Rams. Jackson is the third new addition, and he will be expected to start when the 2025 season begins.
Jackson proved his versatility and selflessness in 2024, swinging out to left tackle when Josh Simmons went down. The two sacks he allowed in 2024 came at left tackle when he faced Penn State EDGE rusher Abdul Carter, the third-overall pick in this year's draft. Jackson was the 39th player on the Consensus Big Board, but he fills the one glaring starting spot the Vikings needed to address.
Grade: B+
3rd Round, 102nd Overall: Tai Felton, WR
The Vikings traded down from pick 97 to 102, while also moving up from 187 to 142, before acquiring Felton. That will be included in this grade. Felton adds a horizontal threat to the Vikings' offense, as he is excellent at taking screens and short passes upfield before evading defenders (26 missed tackles forced in 2024, per PFF). He will threaten Jalen Nailor for the WR3 spot in 2025. Felton ranked 113th on the Consensus Big Board.
Grade: B+
5th Round, 139th Overall: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL
Ingram-Dawkins didn't have a ton of production at Georgia (four sacks in four seasons), but his measurables are enticing. He had a 9.79 RAS score, the third-highest among all draft-eligible interior defensive linemen. Ingram-Dawkins, ranked 172nd overall on the Consensus Big Board, won't be counted on to contribute right away due to the veteran presence the Vikings have in front of him. Still, if he can grow and match his measureables with his play, Minnesota may have hit a home run.
Grade: C+
6th Round, 201st Overall: Kobe King, LB
Slotted one spot behind Ingram-Dawkins on the Consensus Big Board, the Vikings landed King with their first of two sixth-round picks. King is better moving downhill, posting an 89.2 run-defense grade in 2024. He also had 15 coverage stops, though. King won't be counted on to start immediately in front of Blake Cashman or Ivan Pace, Jr., but the two linebackers combined to miss nine games in 2024. At worst, the Vikings have a guy who can provide on special teams as a rookie while learning the defense.
Grade: A
6th Round, 202nd Overall: Gavin Bartholmew, TE
The Vikings only had two tight ends entering the draft. Bartholmew isn't going to supplant T.J. Hockenson or Josh Oliver on the depth chart any time soon, but he has the athletic profile to grow into a reliable target in the future (sixth-highest RAS score among tight ends). He was only rated 303rd on the final Consensus Big Board, but did peak at 191.
Grade: C+
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: What grade did we give every Vikings draft pick in 2025?
Continue reading...
