heavy lifting this offseason in free agency. Donovan Jackson might be the cherry on top of it all.
The Greatest OL the Vikings Have Ever Assembled?
Last season, the Minnesota Vikings watched the offensive line take their lumps. After Christian Darrisaw suffered a season-ending injury, things only got worse. The running game struggled with a lack of ability between the tackles. If that continues this season, it would be a complete shock.
 lines up during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch.</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/USATSI_19371758.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/USATSI_19371758.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/USATSI_19371758.jpg” alt><figcaption>Nov 5, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) lines up during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Back are both bookends in Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. Minnesota signed center Ryan Kelly and coveted guard Will Fries to shore up the middle. That meant only Blake Brandel was projected to return from the interior. When they took Donovan Jackson on Thursday night, it signified Brandel’s time starting would be done.</p>
<p>The rookie comes to the Vikings from Ohio State. He has exceptional ability in that he is both a star guard, but kicked out to tackle when the Buckeyes needed to cover for an injury. Jackson is a big body but definitely a mover. He should help to protect quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the passing game, and he’ll also be more than capable of opening holes on the ground.</p>
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Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
