Minnesota Vikings Rookie Dominates in Debut

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Donovan Jackson, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The NFL Draft has not exactly been kind to Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, since he took control of the “war room” prior to the league’s 2022 Annual Player Selection Meeting.

Kwesi’s misses, especially that first go around, have forced him to work a lot harder in free agency, the past couple offseasons, not to mention how it has attributed to the advanced age of this roster. But just like a fine wine, the Minnesota Vikings’ 43-year-old general manager is getting better with age.

Look no further than his past few first round picks. He selected Jordan Addison in 2023, JJ McCarthy and Dallas Turner in 2024 and Donovan Jackson in 2025. Addison will prove his WR1 abilities the moment he returns from his three-game suspension.

Meanwhile, we all know what McCarthy did Monday night. But did you know that Turner played 29 snaps on defense, too? His PFF grades (52.1 DEF), especially in coverage (29.4) aren’t great, but the physical specimen continues to get better with every rep he takes.

Donovan Jackson arrived in a big way for Vikings

That brings us to left guard Donovan Jackson, who made the first start of his NFL career. But unlike Turner, McCarthy and 2025 Jordan Addison, we didn’t have to wait to see the positive results of Minnesota’s most recent first round draft pick.

Because on Monday Night Football, with the whole world watching, Jackson balled out. And he did it without his future partner in crime on the left side, All-Pro caliber Christian Darrisaw, who the Vikings decided to hold out of week one, as he continues his comeback from season-ending knee surgery last year.

Related: JJ McCarthy’s Legendary Moment in Vikings Huddle Shook Teammates, Sparked Comeback

Out of Ohio State, Donovan Jackson came in, on paper, as the final piece of a newly-overhauled interior offensive line. As a rookie first round pick, Jackson’s upside represents that of an extremely underpriced mauler who, by the time they develop over the next three to four years, will mold into one of the best guards in football.

But saying it, or writing down a draft pick on a piece of paper, is not the same as the unpredictable reality of transitioning a young adult from playing the game he’s used as an outlet his whole life, and making it into his job.

PFF loving Donovan Jackson’s debut

If Monday night was any indication on how well Donovan Jackson is making the change, however, then it appears Kwesi & Co. have hit on yet another first rounder, this time on the offensive line. But if watching with your own eyes isn’t enough, there’s plenty of Jackson affirmation out there.

Pro Football Focus, for example, assigned Jackson with an overall grade of 74.3 He earned an astounding 88.1 pass blocking grade and a respectable 66.9 grade in run blocking. His overall grade was only bested by Brian O’Neill (83.2) and Ryan Kelly (76.4).

Jackson’s 88.1 pass blocking grade was so good that it not only led the Vikings, but was actually fourth among players across the entire league in Week 1. Former top ten picks Joe Alt, Charles Cross, and Paris Johnson Jr. were the only men to outdo his production.

Minnesota Vikings line shines in Week 1

If Minnesota is going to be successful this season, it will be in large part due to the effectiveness of the offensive line. Nobody knows that better than we do. Kevin O’Connell’s team struggled to run the ball last year, behind the unit up front. It didn’t help when Christian Darrisaw got hurt.

But even without their star left tackle in week 1 of 2025, the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line fared well in the opener, even if it took them a couple of quarters to catch their breath under the bright lights of Monday Night Football.

Related: Former NFL Linebacker Blown Away by This Vikings Play Call by KOC

The Vikings posted the second-best pass blocking grade (79.4) in the league (trailing Indianapolis) during Week 1. Their run blocking grade (67.4) also was solid at seventh overall. Building in the trenches is something teams often talk about doing but fail to execute on.

Given how well Darrisaw has responded to rehab and treatment during his recovery, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him on the field Sunday night for the home opener. It would be his first time in uniform since week 9, 2024, when suffered the injury that, to this day, has kept him on the sideline.

All of the talk surrounded quarterback J.J. McCarthy and his hometown NFL debut. That’s understandable given his position on the field. In the opener, however, there’s no ignoring how much impact the Minnesota Vikings offensive line had on their comeback in Chicago.

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