Never mind that the Vikings entered the 2025 NFL Draft with fewer picks than any other team. When they were finally on the clock with the No. 24 pick, they simply couldn’t pass on Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson.

Though he admitted he fielded some calls throughout the first round, Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah noted that the risk of missing out on Jackson wasn’t worth some of the offers that were being made in the moment.

“We liked the player and we were really happy with what we were getting,” Adofo-Mensah said. “Just excited about Donovan and what we were able to get.”

The decision to select Jackson falls in line with exactly how the Vikings have approached the past couple of months.

After getting destroyed by the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs, Kevin O’Connell noted that the Vikings had to improve the interior of the offensive line. That proved to be a top priority in free agency for the Vikings and they continued that trend by taking Jackson in the draft.

“I couldn’t have ended up in a better place with a better organization,” Jackson said. “I can’t wait to get to work with my new teammates and new coaches and do whatever I can to help this team grow.”

Presumably, Jackson will slot in at left guard sooner rather than later, sandwiched between Christian Darrisaw at left tackle and newly signed Ryan Kelly at center. Meanwhile, the opposite side of the offensive line will feature another new signee in Will Fries at right guard and Brian O’Neill at right tackle.

“I think tonight really put a stamp on a plan that we set out to accomplish,” O’Connell said. “We’re really excited about him.”

It wasn’t clear that Jackson would be available to the Vikings after they watched Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker get taken by the Dallas Cowboys at No. 12 and North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel go to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 18.

“We weren’t sure,” Adofo-Mensah said. “We thought we’d have a good shot and we’re excited with the player that we got.”

After putting together elite tape as a left guard, Jackson and his 6-foot-4, 315-pound frame bumped out to left tackle for Ohio State last season following an injury to his teammate. He proceeded to help his team go on a run that ended with it winning a national title.

“We love everything about his play style,” O’Connell said. “He’s got size. He’s got length. He’s got power.”

In that same breath, O’Connell mentioned the selflessness that Jackson showed last season at Ohio State, noting how switching positions can sometimes be a risk for a highly touted prospect.

“He didn’t necessarily need to do that when he was going to be drafted and evaluated the way he was,” O’Connell said. “There are a lot of things that we’re very excited about when it comes to Donovan walking into that offensive line room.”

Asked about some of the traits Jackson brings to the table, Adofo-Mensah mentioned how he has the ability to anchor in the pass game, as well as the tenacity required to dominate in the run game, even if his mild manner demeanor might suggest otherwise.

“He turns into a different guy on the football field,” Adofo-Mensah said. “We added a player with a great skill set and a championship pedigree who we brought in and got to see in the building and we’re excited we got him.”