It was also the start of the 2025 NFL Draft. Many inside the arena were tuned into both events, but a couple of men monitored the picks for one specific name: Donovan Jackson. It wasn’t just that they wanted the Minnesota Vikings to take an interior offensive lineman.

The Vikings completed their offseason mission of completely overhauling the interior offensive line by taking guard Donovan Jackson in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night.

The Minnesota Vikings and head coach Kevin O'Connell have had a seamless relationship since he was hired by the team in 2022. Both he and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah were hired in the same year, and they have helped the Vikings franchise take a big step into the next chapter in franchise history.