What will the Vikings do once they're on the clock Thursday night?

Ladies and gentlemen, it's the multimillion-dollar question, one that's been estimated in what feels like millions of mock drafts since the 2025 season ended and intense focus transitioned to the 2026 event.

During our several months of Mock Draft Trackers, we've kept tabs on the primary positions the Vikings may address at No. 18: safety (80), cornerback (34) and interior defensive lineman (20) have garnered the most mentions. We've also monitored the players most frequently paired with Minnesota: Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, Tennessee corner Jermod McCoy and Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald are a few of the many touted by 79 unique draftniks who have accounted for 152 total first-round predictions since Jan. 27.

Thieneman stayed the overwhelming favorite among external predictors in our final roundup before the mocks go silent and the real deal unfolds. He was nominated 13 times (52 percent) in the mocks we saw; Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was second, appearing thrice, and Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq was third with two entries.

The Thieneman-Vikings connection has dominated mocks dating to the conclusion of the NFL Scouting Combine; in the four trackers we've published since March 10, the All-American at Purdue and Oregon has matched with Minnesota in 56 percent of the submissions (59 out of 105) that we read.

For what it's worth, the Vikings have spent their top pick on an offensive player in each of the past three drafts (guard Donovan Jackson at 24^th in 2025; quarterback J.J. McCarthy at 10^th in 2024; and receiver Jordan Addison at 23^rd in 2023), but they also utilized a second first-rounder on outside linebacker Dallas Turner in '24 (the team moved up from 23 to select him at 17).

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski, who was tasked with building consensus between the Vikings personnel department and coaching staff in late January, met with local media members during separate press conferences Monday and described the collaborative process that is grounded by an objectively stacked board. Brzezinski noted the importance of finding the best fits for the Vikings without passing on unique talents.

Enough from us, here's how 25 experts picture Minnesota's first pick (and sometimes later) playing out:

Mike Band of Next Gen Stats

April 15

Band projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

With Rob Brzezinski now leading Minnesota's football operations through the draft — and seasoned college scouting director Mike Sholiton helping steer the process — this still feels like a spot where the Vikings lean into a smart, sturdy defensive fit rather than chase a splashier need. In Brian Flores' pressure-heavy scheme, safeties are premium pieces, and Thieneman gives him a versatile back-end heir apparent to Harrison Smith with the range and processing speed to disguise, rotate and clean up behind pressure.

Note: O'Connell said Monday that Smith's pending decision on retirement or returning for a 15^th NFL season will not necessarily impact Minnesota's draft decisions.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic

April 15

Brugler projects at No. 18: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy is a tough player to project in a mock draft — some teams are comfortable with his 2025 knee injury, while others won't consider him in the first round. I don't know how the Vikings feel, but adding his level of talent to a Brian Flores defense would be fun to watch.

Steven Cheah of Barstool Sports

April 20

Cheah projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

The Vikings announced a post-June 1 [release of] lifelong SKOL Safety Harrison Smith. Joshua Metellus is great, but they need another one on the back end, and Thieneman can step in right away and contribute.

Nate Davis of USA TODAY

April 19

Davis projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Thieneman would make sense as both a short- and long-term solution. One of the combine's standouts, the Ducks All-American is a rangy player who can be weaponized all over the field — especially by an imaginative coordinator like Brian Flores.

Eric Edholm of NFL.com

April 20

Edholm projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

The connection between this highly touted DB and the safety-needy Vikings has seemed obvious since early in the pre-draft process, and I don't see a stronger option. Maybe if this were a better DT class, I'd have considered someone from that position.

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports

April 18

Edwards projects at No. 18: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Three safeties taken in the top-20 overall is proof of an unconventional draft.

Gennaro Filice of NFL.com

April 13

Filice projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

I just can't get away from this perfect pairing. And neither can anyone else — as my fellow mockophiles can attest. … Thieneman provides the kind of versatility Brian Flores lives to exploit.

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports

April 15

Fornelli projects at No. 9 via trade up with Kansas City: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Love may not go fourth overall, but his slide ends here. The Vikings have a need at running back and nine picks in this draft. Rather than sitting back and hoping he falls, they get aggressive and snap him up.

Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus

April 20

Jahnke projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

The Vikings haven't had a starting safety earn a defensive grade above 75.0 since 2021, when Harrison Smith reached that mark. Smith is no longer on the roster and is considering retirement at 37. Thieneman could help reverse that trend after earning a 91.0 grade in his lone season at Oregon and an 89.5 grade in his best season at Purdue. He has also earned grades above 90.0 in both run defense and coverage at various points in his college career.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports

April 20

Jones projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Minnesota has to upgrade its defensive backfield. The Vikings need an heir to Harrison Smith and get it here with the Oregon product.

Mel Kiper, Jr., of ESPN

April 18

Kiper projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Along with many evaluators, I've been projecting Thieneman to Minnesota since before the combine. There's still uncertainty around Harrison Smith's status, but it's sort of irrelevant because the Vikings have to start planning for the future at safety whether or not Smith is back there in 2026. Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores would have Thieneman lined up all over the place to create havoc. He can create turnovers (eight career interceptions), too.

Kiper projects at No. 49 in Round 2: Mike Washington, Jr., RB, Arkansas

Aaron Jones, Sr., and Jordan Mason are on expiring deals, and Washington's 4.33 speed would add another element to the offense. Washington ran for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and he added 28 catches out of the backfield.

Joel Klatt of FOX Sports

April 20

Klatt projects at No. 20 via trade down with Dallas: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

As I mentioned earlier, the Vikings would probably roll with McNeil-Warren here and get a couple of later-round picks in the process. He's actually excellent at punching the ball out, forcing nine fumbles in his college career.

Alec Lewis of The Athletic (click the link to see Lewis' full seven-round mock)

April 20

Lewis projects at No. 18: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Do the Vikings need another offensive weapon? No. Would Sadiq bring a unique skill set to the Vikings? Absolutely. The 21-year-old is a special athlete. He reached 23.24 miles per hour at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to Next Gen Stats, the fastest of any tight end in recent years. Vertical speed matters. … Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson might have more feel in zone pockets. This team, though, has an evolving offense. And Hockenson is only under contract through the 2026 season. Sadiq would offer a big-bodied target for Kyler Murray, a quarterback who has thrived throwing to the position since he entered the NFL in 2019. Pair his positional flex with superstar receiver Justin Jefferson for the next five seasons, and the Vikings will have two unique body types and movers who would feed off one another.

Lewis projects at No. 49 in Round 2: Treydan Stukes, CB/S, Arizona

If the Vikings select an offensive player at No. 18, it makes sense to move to the other side of the ball at No. 49. The only question here is whether Stukes will reach this spot. While prospects don't tend to rise, Stukes' name has emerged more and more as defensive staffers around the NFL have raved about the toolsy defensive back. Stukes played in 52 college games at Arizona. He has the traits to line up as a nickel corner or a split-field safety in Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores' scheme. This flexibility matters. There is uncertainty around Harrison Smith's status. Meanwhile, Joshua Metellus thrives as a box player. Stukes' presence would allow the chess pieces to move around with ease.

Rhett Lewis of NFL Media

April 7

Lewis projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

This is one of the more popular projections in the collective mock draft community. It just fits. With Harrison Smith's time in Minnesota [possibly] at an end, the Vikings turn to the ball-hawking Thieneman. His athletic profile should allow DC Brian Flores to use him in a variety of roles.

Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus

April 13

Locker projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Thieneman to Minnesota has been one of the more consistent picks across the mock draft sphere, and for good reason. The Vikings have a hole at safety, given that Harrison Smith remains unsigned. Thieneman's ability to tackle, cover, fill the alley, and even blitz is seamless for Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores. Minnesota could also consider an interior defender or cornerback here, but Thieneman might be perceived as a steal by this point.

Charles McDonald & Nate Tice of Yahoo! Sports

April 20

McDonald projects at No. 18: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Vikings could use a big-time talent on the interior of their defensive line, and they get that here with McDonald. He is one of the underrated gems of this draft class, being a bit overshadowed by his teammates who were (mock) drafted prior to this pick. He has a lot of playmaking ability for a nose tackle prospect, notching an absurd 65 tackles (31 solo) with nine of them going for a loss. He also had three sacks and two forced fumbles. That level of production is a bit of an anomaly — he'd be the active run plugger this defense quietly needs in a big way.

Bryant McFadden of CBS Sports

April 19

McFadden projects at No. 18: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

Minnesota needs a pass rush in a division full of high-end QBs, and Mesidor fits Brian Flores' style. When you're facing Jordan Love, Jared Goff and Caleb Williams, defensive pressure is a must.

Todd McShay of The McShay Report

April 15

McShay projects at No. 18: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

This pick might feel a bit rich for Boston, but based on conversations I had with a couple of teams over the weekend, the gap between him, KC Concepcion, and Omar Cooper, Jr., isn't nearly as wide for some teams as the draft community may think. It really comes down to stylistic preference, and for Minnesota, the need is clear: a big, physical outside receiver to complement Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Boston fits that mold perfectly.

Rob Rang of FOX Sports

April 13

Rang projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

One could argue that running back is an even greater position of concern for the Vikings, but Thieneman seems like such a clean replacement for longtime Vikings star safety Harrison Smith that Rob Brzezinski shouldn't overthink things. Thieneman is one of the safest prospects of this class, pairing instincts, ball skills and reliable open-field tackling with top-notch athleticism.

Adam Rank of NFL.com

April 14

Rank projects at No. 18: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Like Smith, he's the kind of guy you grow to appreciate — or, if he's not on your side, you grow to hate seeing.

Jordan Reid of ESPN

April 20

Reid projects at No. 18: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Tight end isn't the Vikings biggest need — those would be safety and defensive tackle — but Thieneman is off the board as a possible Harrison Smith replacement and there isn't a defensive tackle worth taking at this point of the draft. Sadiq is a speedy (4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash) receiving tight end whom Minnesota could use in multiple ways in its offense.

Reid projects at No. 49 in Round 2: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

After releasing both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, defensive tackle is the biggest hole on the Vikings roster. They allowed 124.1 rush yards per game last season (21st in the NFL), and Miller's explosive power would give them a young interior defender who's a reliable run stopper.

Reid projects at No. 82 in Round 3: Connor Lew, C, Auburn

Lew tore an ACL last season but won't be 21 years old until August and possesses great upside. He could be the replacement for the retired Ryan Kelly in time.

Reid projects at No. 97 in Round 3: Kamari Ramsey, S, USC

Brian Flores' defense relies on incredibly smart players who can interchange their roles. Ramsey played multiple spots over the past two seasons and matches Flores' heavy zone-based scheme.

Mike Renner of CBS Sports

April 19

Renner projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Thieneman is the type of versatile coverage player who can be a weapon in Brian Flores' defense. His range and ball skills are special on the back end.

Chad Reuter of NFL.com

April 17

Reuter projects at No. 18: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The Vikings come away from this pick hoping the speedy, fiery Hood ends their interminable search for a shutdown outside corner. They have a long-term need at the position, too, with Isaiah Rodgers set to enter free agency after 2026 and Byron Murphy due a huge base salary in 2027.

Keith Sanchez of The Draft Network

April 19

Sanchez projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Thieneman is an alignment-versatile player who should pair well within this Brian Flores defense.

Geoff Schwartz of FOX Sports

April 15

Schwartz projects at No. 18: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Caleb Downs is going to grade as one of the better players in this draft, so the Vikings will hit a home run with their Harrison Smith replacement. I tried to find a place for Downs earlier in this draft, but it just didn't happen.

View 2026 Free Agency Tracker.

See the Vikings 2026 Opponents.

Check out the Vikings 2026 Draft Picks.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.