Free agency, trades, and the draft are the key avenues for improving a roster. However, another, often overlooked path might be equally important. So, as the quarterback rumors swirl and terrible social media trade proposals run rampant, the Minnesota Vikings are quietly working on their craft behind the scenes.
Obviously, widespread development across the board would be ideal. Still, given how unlikely that is, there are two second-year players whose improvement would help the team immensely.
It’s still early, but Minnesota’s 2025 draft class, much like many of former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s classes, is shaping up to be mostly mediocre. That can still change, of course. For the top two picks from last year, a big improvement would help the Vikings turn this class from dud to stud.
The Vikings overhauled the offensive line last year, bringing in Ryan Kelly and Will Fries in free agency, and Donovan Jackson with their first pick in the draft. That overhaul hasn’t exactly produced the sweetest fruits yet, with Kelly already looking like a cap casualty and Fries posting an underwhelming first season in purple. Jackson occasionally showed promise and could still evolve into a very good guard. Regardless of who the Vikings roll out at quarterback in 2026, though, they’ll need a greatly improved line in front of him – one way or another.
Donovan Jackson finished the year with a relatively modest 59.4 Pro Football Focus grade, placing him as the 46th-rated guard out of 81, but context is required here. For most of the season, he was working next to a revolving door of centers and left tackles. With injuries to Kelly and Christian Darrisaw, Jackson saw a different player to his left or right almost every week. While that doesn’t absolve him of any faults, it’s harder to play guard without any consistency on either side.
Jackson was also dealing with a wrist injury that forced him to miss three games. Still, despite almost certainly playing hurt at times, his 77% run-blocking win-rate was fifth in the NFL among all interior offensive linemen. On the other hand, he could improve his 26 pressures allowed if J.J. McCarthy wants to make it through an entire season unscathed.
Overall, his rookie year wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great, either. There’s still plenty of room to grow. For the health of Minnesota’s quarterback and the sanity of the fans, a Year 2 jump for Jackson is almost a necessity.
Improvement from Jackson this summer feels likely. However, it’s hard to say the same about Minnesota’s subsequent pick from last year’s draft.
The Vikings used their third-round pick on wide receiver Tai Felton, who only notched three catches as a rookie. While the Vikings didn’t necessarily need him in 2025, their receiver room is about to see some significant change.
Jalen Nailor will become a free agent next month, and they must decide whether to pick up Jordan Addison’s fifth-year option not long after. Justin Jefferson is already on the books for $110 million guaranteed, so it seems unlikely Minnesota pays Nailor and Addison and creates the most expensive receiver trio ever.
With either Nailor or Addison likely gone in some form or fashion, that leaves a hole at WR3. Without much cap space and precious draft capital needed for holes on the defense, the Vikings could use a big offseason from Felton. However, that may be a lot to ask. They famously traded a fourth-round pick for Adam Thielen because of Felton’s lack of readiness in Year 1.
Still, Felton has 4.3 speed and could be used in a similar role as Nailor, given some moderate development. Still, even after they released Thielen, Felton tallied just two catches in what should have been a great opportunity to see more action. Wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell is a big believer in the former Maryland Terrapin to figure things out.
“I told him, ‘Hey, man, you got me thinking now,” McCardell said at Felton’s pro day. “‘If I get a chance, I’m going to fight to get you.’ … He can play special teams and do a lot of things to help us as a team, first, and then as a receiver. I think he’s going to be a good Viking for a long time.”
If Felton isn’t ready to take on a bigger role in 2026, Minnesota will have to get creative in free agency or the draft to find a bargain.
The Vikings will be relying on two top picks from last year’s draft to succeed this season. With limited funds and questions remaining at quarterback, Minnesota isn’t in a position to go out and get a bunch of new starters, so the internal development of Jackson and Felton will be key. As fans will find out in the coming weeks, Minnesota’s offseason will offer clues about how the team views its growth.
