After prioritizing the interior of the offensive line over the past few months, the Vikings continued that trend on Thursday night, selecting Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson when they were on the clock at No. 24.
The decision to stick and pick came as a surprise on the surface as the Vikings felt like a candidate to trade down to garner more draft picks.
The biggest issue with trading down is that the Vikings might have had to sacrifice Jackson in the process. They felt there was no point in adding more draft capital if it cost them the player they coveted most at the time.
How did the Vikings grade out in the eyes of experts? Not many were in love with it. Nobody hated it.
Here’s a round up of grades from the first round:
NFL: B
Analysis: “Minnesota continued to remodel its interior offensive line with the selection of Jackson. He impressed by moving from left guard to left tackle during the Buckeyes’ championship run last season after the injury to Josh Simmons left a vacancy on the blind side. Jackson will move back to the interior in the pros. He’s a solid player who will be a sturdy pass protector and strong run blocker for years to come.” — Chad Reuter
USA Today: B
Analysis: “With Minnesota entering the draft with a league-low four picks, this spot seemed ripe for a trade. Nevertheless, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah sticks with his first choice and continues to bolster his interior front after adding Will Fries and Ryan Kelly in free agency. Jackson might have been a somewhat surprising candidate to complete the effort, but the 6-4, 320-pounder showed off impressive pass protection skills when he kicked out to left tackle due to Josh Simmons’ injury to power the Buckeyes’ national title run.” –Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
CBS Sports: B
Analysis: Jackson is a good player who can play guard and tackle, but will be a guard for the Vikings. Minnesota needed to upgrade the interior of the offensive line and they will do it with Jackson. Teams loved his demeanor. I like the pick.” — Pete Prisco
Fox Sports: B-
Analysis: This is one of the stunners for me, given how the Vikings invested so much in free agency on interior offensive linemen. That said, I really like Jackson, one of my favorite blockers in this class because of his size, strength, durability and versatility. Protecting J.J. McCarthy is the top priority and the Vikings clearly are focused on that.” — Rob Rang
Sports Illustrated: B
Analysis: “Jackson is a mountain of a man at 6′ 4″ and 315 pounds, and started 40 games for the Buckeyes including nine at left tackle after Justin Simmons tore his patellar tendon last autumn. Going forward, Jackson is expected to kick back inside where he spent the bulk of his college career. He’s a two-time, first-team All-Big Ten selection and last year was named a second-team All-American.” — Matt Verderame
The Ringer: A+
Analysis: “I really like this pick for the Vikings, who bolster their offensive line with a tough and versatile bruiser in Jackson. An excellent hand fighter who plays with balance and football IQ, he completes the team’s makeover at offensive line this offseason. Dropping him in at left guard alongside Christian Darrisaw, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill gives Minnesota the chance to field one of the best offensive lines in the league. That will be a massive boon for J.J. McCarthy.” — Danny Kelly
Bleacher Report: B
Analysis: “Jackson will immediately slot into the final guard spot as a ready-made starter despite the difficult circumstances he faced last season during the Buckeyes’ title run. Ironically, he’ll now be blocking for a Michigan man in J.J. McCarthy, who needs a strong pocket as a first-year starter since he missed all of his rookie season with a torn meniscus.” — Brent Sobleski
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