Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the Minnesota Vikings’ general manager, was not in a reflective mood Saturday afternoon. He’d been asked how the draft punctuated the vision he and the rest of the team brass had when the offseason began. Adofo-Mensah took the opportunity to commend the coaches and staff working on securing undrafted free agents.
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That was really the theme of this weekend. The Vikings kept their heads down. They were not interested in any major splashes, but instead in solidifying a roster that has begun to look pretty impressive on paper.
Grading picks is always a fun exercise, even if it’s impossible to know how these players will turn out. Because the Vikings kept the plan pretty simple, there aren’t any notable reasons to praise or diminish. Here, though, is a review of what the Vikings accomplished from Thursday to Saturday.
Round 1, No. 24: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Some might roll their eyes at this grade. Few predicted Jackson as a first-rounder, but this is more about the Vikings taking what was in front of them. They didn’t risk missing out on a fluid mover who rounds out the offensive line.
Jackson may not be an All-Pro talent, but he will limit negative plays and give young quarterback J.J. McCarthy the requisite space to step up in the pocket and deliver passes over the intermediate areas of the field. Jackson’s quiet demeanor pairs nicely with that of left tackle Christian Darrisaw. Together, those two should also create consistent dents for running backs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason to blur behind.
Grade: A-
Round 3, No. 102: Tai Felton, WR, Maryland
When receivers coach Keenan McCardell pushes for a player, Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell are probably inclined to listen. McCardell adored Justin Jefferson in 2020. He also believed in what Jordan Addison could be in 2023. Those two have become the engine of the Vikings offense. That’s not to say Felton will join them, but it’s more to underscore what McCardell said inside the draft room when the pick was called in: “You always need playmakers.”
Felton was productive, and he tested exceptionally well in the lead-up to the draft. He has the speed to take the top off the defense, and there’s room for him to improve as a route runner. Toss in his special-teams experience, and the Vikings added an immediate contributor who could become Jefferson and Addison’s running mate in future seasons.
Grade: B+
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Round 5, No. 139: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL, Georgia
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves big players who move like little players. Essentially, if he can find 280-pound body types like Ingram-Dawkins who are thick enough to stop the run, he will make use of them.
The Vikings deployed veteran Jihad Ward in a similar role last season, lining up over center and on the edge. Ward rushed the passer and played a role in twists and games.
Ingram-Dawkins will do the same. He shifted around on Georgia’s front, long-arming tackles and wiggling his way past interior offensive linemen. At 21 years old, he still has upside. If Flores and defensive line coach Marcus Dixon think they can get the most out of Ingram-Dawkins’ skill set, it’s easy to believe them.
Grade: B
Round 6, No. 201: Kobe King, LB, Penn State
The Vikings didn’t need an off-ball linebacker. Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. are the obvious starters, and Eric Wilson was signed for his special-teams ability. Brian Asamoah II also remains on the roster.
So, why King? Well, had Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks not been plucked by the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of the Vikings, he might have been the pick. With him off the board, it seems Minnesota went with the best player on its board.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s draft expert, projected King as a fourth-rounder. Snagging him in the sixth round is good enough for a positive grade. (And if you recall, Flores and linebackers coach Mike Siravo nailed an evaluation of an off-ball linebacker with Pace two years ago.)
Grade: B+
Round 6, No. 202: Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pittsburgh
Former Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt wasn’t the flashiest player, but O’Connell adored him. Why? Because he was reliable. He could block effectively in the run phase, and he was always good for one or two flat routes on quarterback keepers. Mundt brought an edge.
Bartholomew played with Addison at Pitt. He was productive for four seasons as a pass catcher, and the Vikings feel tight ends coaches Brian Angelichio and Ryan Cordell can maximize his abilities. Pencil him in alongside T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver as a security blanket for McCarthy.
Grade: B
(Photo of Donovan Jackson: Michael Hickey / Getty Images)
Alec Lewis is a staff writer covering the Minnesota Vikings for The Athletic. He grew up in Birmingham, Ala., and has written for Yahoo, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Kansas City Star, among many other places. Follow Alec on Twitter @alec_lewis
