The Vikings' Breakout Candidate Who is Getting Next to No Attention

NFL: NFC Wild Card Round-New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings — Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Ask around. Various people will have various opinions for about the Vikings’ breakout candidate. Allow me to insert a new name into the mix.

Last year, LG1 Donovan Jackson had a solid season. He did so even as a rookie newcomer who had spent his past college season playing left tackle instead of his more natural home of left guard. So, too, did he offer sturdy football despite working through his own injury. Might he have a large jump in his near future? I’ll argue that he does.

The Vikings’ Breakout Candidate: LG1 Donovan Jackson

Before moving on too quickly, consider the coalition of factors that worked against Jackson.

The kid was playing in his debut NFL season after a long college run that led to winning the CFB National Championship. In a truncated offseason, he got chosen at No. 24 overall to become a Minnesota Viking. He then worked through injury and saw many of his teammates work through injury, as well. The player to his left (Christian Darrisaw) and player to his right (Ryan Kelly) both missed a lot of time.

Worse yet, the quarterback play has shaky at best. Blocking for a passer who is struggling is much more difficult than somebody who is thriving. Moreover, the lack of a run game can also make life difficult for a blocker. The large lads like to fire out of their stance every so often rather than needing to constantly be on their heels in pass pro.

Donovan Jackson and Christian Darrisaw line up for the Vikings against the Bengals. — Minnesota Vikings offensive linemen Donovan Jackson and Christian Darrisaw align at U.S. Bank Stadium, with Sept. 21, 2025 placing the first-half scene in Minneapolis against the Cincinnati Bengals. The two blockers settle in before the snap as Minnesota’s offensive front prepares to handle Cincinnati’s rush during an early home matchup that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

And one more thing: OL coach Chris Kuper got shown the door following the season. Doing so evidently came due to being displeased with how the offensive lineman were playing.

Despite all of these factors, Donovan Jackson played reasonably well He wasn’t Steve Hutchinson out there but he was an NFL starter.

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In the PFF rankings, Jackson found himself listed at 45th among the 81 under consideration. Where he showed the most promise was in pass protection, an area of the game where he pulled down a 65.7 grade that led to being listed at 26th overall.

His report card shows 2 sacks allowed, 5 QB hits allowed, and 26 pressures. There were then 4 penalties.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings Minicamp — Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson (74) practices during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Generally speaking, football rewards players who combine talent with a work ethic. Likewise, the game tends to smile on those who are rugged, durable, and willing to battle. Donovan Jackson qualifies.

Not often does a guard get scooped up in the 1st. In opting for the Ohio State alumnus, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah put the ball straight down the fairway. Jackson is already a good player who appears ready to see growth arrive due to better health, confidence in the scheme, and coaching.

The left guard is listed as being 6’4″ and weighing 323 pounds. Seeing him form a gruesome twosome along the left side with Darrisaw wouldn’t be much of a surprise. Those two are capable of putting a dent into the line of scrimmage on a regular basis.

Jackson is 23.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.