Ranking Minnesota Vikings rookies by their potential impact for the 2025 season
Ranking Minnesota Vikings rookies by their potential impact for the 2025 season
The Minnesota Vikings only had five picks in the 2025 NFL draft, but they are expecting early contributions. Throughout his first three years as general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn't get much impact from any of his draft picks. He's hoping that changes this season.
Today, we'll rank the five Vikings draft picks on their potential impact as rookies.
Donovan Jackson, Guard, 24th Overall
The Vikings could have traded down to accumulate more draft capital when they were on the clock at pick 24. But they stood pat, knowing the dropoff between Jackson and the rest of the guards was too large.
Jackson will be expected to be the starting left guard when the Vikings open the season at Soldier Field on Sept. 8. If he can replicate his career at Ohio State, which finished with a 71.8 PFF grade as a senior in 2024, the Vikings could have a reliable, long-term starter at left guard for the first time in a decade.
Tai Felton, Wide Receiver, 102nd Overall
Felton won't be expected to be WR1 or WR2 on a team with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but he will have plenty of opportunities to see the field. Jalen Nailor flashed in moments in 2024, but he's more of a vertical threat. Felton can stretch the field vertically as well, but his ability to make plays on screens and end-arounds brings a different element to the offense, and one that can co-exist with Nailor. Felton could also see time as the team's punt returner.
Kobe King, Linebacker, 201st Overall
The Vikings' fourth pick was on the board longer than most fans and experts expected. King brings instant special teams potential and could fight to see the field on defense if the team believes he can build on his pass coverage.
Gavin Bartholomew, Tight End, 202nd Overall
Johnny Mundt, who served as the Vikings' TE3 from 2022-24, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. Despite being the third tight end, Mundt played 1,142 snaps in three seasons. Bartholomew may not be asked to carry that much of a load as a rookie, but the Vikings like to utilize 12 and 13-personnel packages.
5. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Defensive Line, 139th Overall
Maybe I'm not giving Ingram-Dawkins enough credit here. But it may be hard for him to see the field as a rookie. The Vikings have plenty of depth and experience at EDGE and interior defensive lines. Ingram-Dawkins played all over the defensive line at Georgia, so he could be in for a learning curve, whether he continues to utilize his position flexibility in Minnesota or hones in on one position. He offers tons of potential; we may not see it realized this year.
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