In the latest episode of The Real Forno Show, hosted by Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano on Vikings 1st & SKOL, partnered with Fans First Sports Network, the duo dives into the Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 NFL Draft strategy, spotlighting first-round pick Donovan Jackson and the trade for quarterback Sam Howell. Recorded on April 28, 2025, this episode unpacks the Vikings’ five-player draft class, emphasizing Jackson’s “boring” yet reliable offensive line skills and Howell’s cost-effective addition as J.J. McCarthy’s backup. Forness, an NFL analyst for AtoZ Sports, and Stefano analyze how General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed critical needs while managing cap space and compensatory picks. The show also covers undrafted free agents (UDFAs), roster depth, and fan questions, offering a comprehensive look at Minnesota’s path to contention. With engaging insights and a focus on long-term roster building, this episode is a must-watch for Vikings fans eager to understand the team’s 2025 outlook.
Key Points of the Episode:
Donovan Jackson’s Fit: Selected 24th overall, Jackson’s versatility, leverage, and stunt-handling ability make him a Day 1 starter at guard, though Forness notes occasional overbalancing in space as coachable. “He constantly had his eyes up. He was not getting beat by stunts,” Forness said.
Sam Howell Trade: The Vikings traded the 142nd pick for Howell and the 172nd pick, a low-cost move praised for its draft-day timing. Forness highlighted Howell’s arm talent and mobility, noting O’Connell’s interest since 2022. “They got their backup quarterback for a [little over] million bucks,” he said.
Draft Class Overview: The five-pick class includes WR Tai Felton, DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, LB Kobe King, and TE Gavin Bartholomew. It focuses on depth and upside. Forness gave it a B grade, citing a lack of “sizzle” but strong foundational moves.
UDFA Strategy: The Vikings signed five [of the 20 acquired] UDFAs ranked in Arif Hasan’s top 300, continuing a trend of finding edge rushers like Ivan Pace Jr “They’re using undrafted free agency to build out the depth of the edge room,” Forness noted.
Roster and Cap Management: With $17 million in cap space, the Vikings are cautious, allocating funds for the draft class, practice squad, and in-season moves. The compensatory pick window closed, with two picks projected, potentially a third if players like Nick Mullens qualify.
Vikings fans, don’t sleep on this episode of The Real Forno Show! Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano deliver expert breakdowns on Donovan Jackson’s potential to anchor the O-line and why Sam Howell’s trade is a steal. Subscribe to the Vikings 1st & SKOL YouTube channel, hit the bell for updates, and join the SKOL community to catch Skoldiers & Spice and Two Old Bloggers. Will Jackson and Howell elevate Minnesota to playoff contenders? Tune in, share your takes, and let’s get ready for rookie minicamp! SKOL Vikings!
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Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and its NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.
