25 rookies from the draft and UDFA at the end of April, navigating a class with very few picks because of the expensive Dallas Turner trade in 2024.
The Vikings have several rookies from the draft and undrafted free agency, and a few could end up with starting gigs.
Accordingly, the Vikings did not have a 2nd- or 3rd-Round pick this offseason, but a few rookies could still perhaps sniff the starting lineup.
Kyle Joudry wrote about the battle in late April: “Mr. Chapman is coming in at 6’3″ and 197 pounds. The specialist did work for Auburn from 2020 through to 2024, meaning he has five college seasons to draw on for experience. Keep in mind that he was playing within the SEC, meaning that he faced strong competition. In 2024, Chapman played in a dozen games. He punted the ball 41 times, averaging 42.5 yards per punt.”
“The year before Chapman played in thirteen games, punting 61 times while averaging 44.6 yards per punt. In each of those two seasons, Chapman picked up a single carry — one went for 10 yards, the other for 6 — suggesting he has a bit of athleticism that could get the gears turning for Matt Daniels, opening up the potential for a trick play or two (has there ever been a football fan/coach who doesn’t love a good — emphasis on good — trick play?).”
recently wrote about Jackson: “Despite his draft status as a rare first-round guard — in fact, he is the first guard the Vikings selected since Randall McDaniel in 1988 — he still has to dethrone a veteran to take a starting spot.”
“At this time of the year, however, it’s more about acclimating to the new teammates and the NFL level rather than competing with them. Depth chart questions won’t be answered in May, but we can still learn something about the order in which they might be stacked on the very-early depth chart. One nugget: Donovan Jackson is already running with the top offensive line. Indeed, not all five guys from the intended starting offensive line were out there. Christian Darrisaw is still recovering from his torn ACL.”
The Vikings haven’t drafted an offensive lineman who’s virtually guaranteed to start since Darrisaw — four years ago.
 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Donovan-Jackson-3.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=644,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Donovan-Jackson-3.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Donovan-Jackson-3.jpg” alt ><figcaption>Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Eckardt added, “For him, free-agent addition Justin Skule subbed in at left tackle. Will Fries is in the final stages of the leg injury that cost him the majority of last season, and Blake Brandel, last year’s 2024 left guard, functioned as the right guard in his place. That opened the door for Jackson to step into the vacated left guard spot.”</p>
<p>“It is noteworthy that Brandel is cross-trained at the other guard spot and not kept at left guard, making it quite obvious that the Vikings expect him to be the backup guard sooner rather than later. Whether he will ultimately lose his job to Jackson in time for Week 1 remains to be seen. The rookie surely has the talent to challenge him early in his Vikings tenure.”</p>
<p>Yes, Jackson must win the job, but he should be classified as the LG frontrunner. </p>
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