We've entered the T-minus phase of "Draft SZN" as we're 44 days from the annual event.

On one hand, it's hard to fathom — Didn't the 2025 slate end just a little while ago?! On the other, it cannot come soon enough. We've flown past checkpoints such as college all-star showcases and the NFL Scouting Combine; we're in the thick of prospects performing at Pro Days; Top 30 visits with teams are only weeks away; and big boards throughout scouting departments are being stacked and re-stacked.

There's no rest for the weary! And, many players are under consideration by Vikings brass, led by Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski, to hear their name called 18^th overall.

It really goes without saying that nothing is a sure thing yet. But …

In the fourth iteration of our Mock Draft Tracker series, which highlights prospects being linked to Minnesota in draft simulations across the web, we noticed six different players suggested — and one favorite: Oregon S Dillon Thieneman (14 submissions), Florida DL Caleb Banks (4), Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (4), Clemson CB Avieon Terrell (1) and DL Peter Woods (1), as well as Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy (1). FWIW, Thieneman appeared in two mocks out of 20 in Version 3.0 of our tracker.

So, what prompted his surging connection to Minnesota? He was flat-out awesome at the combine in Indianapolis with a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and a 41-inch vertical jump. He also has skills, and a history of production that heightens intrigue if he were to land in Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores' system.

Lance Zierlein, a veteran draft analyst for NFL.com, offered the highest kind of praise to Thieneman, touting him as "an extension of his defensive coordinator." His stats prove it: Over three college seasons (two at Purdue; one at Oregon), he totaled 306 tackles, eight interceptions and 14 passes defended.

Thieneman is a fun prospect to imagine in Vikings colors, but there are other interesting options, too.

Keeping in mind that some of these projections could shapeshift based on the flurry of transactions taking place in free agency, here's who 25 draft pundits think Minnesota will choose with the 18^th pick:

Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic

March 9

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

Thieneman posted a 40 time (4.35) and jump numbers (41-inch vertical, 10-5 broad) at the combine that were seriously eye-opening. A disciplined back-end ball hawk who isn't afraid to thump in the box when asked, Thieneman would be a perfect fit in Minnesota. He also could be gone by No. 18.

Bucky Brooks of FOX Sports

March 9

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

As a center fielder with outstanding ball skills and linebacker-like tackling ability, the Oregon standout perfectly fits safety Harrison Smith's old role. [Editor's Note: Smith still is weighing possible retirement.]

Dane Brugler of The Athletic

March 4

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

With Harrison Smith's future in question, the Vikings will have safety near the top of their wish list this offseason. Thieneman was expected to test well at the combine. Based on the reactions from teams, he surpassed even those high expectations and solidified himself in the mid-first-round range. (NFL scout: "It's hard to find anything bad with 'T-man.'")

Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus

March 9

Chadwick projects at No. 18: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The Vikings have finished outside the top 15 of team PFF coverage grade in each of the past six seasons and need plenty of help in their secondary. Terrell's 90.6 PFF overall grade over the past two seasons ranked fifth among Power Four cornerbacks.

Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports

March 7

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

[Utah OL Spencer] Fano would have been a perfect fit in Minnesota to replace Ryan Kelly, so seeing him come off the board one pick earlier is a bummer, but the "consolation prize" is this year's freaky long, disruptive safety. McNeil-Warren feels like an awesome fit to prowl the back of Brian Flores' defense.

Tim Crean of ClutchPoints

March 3

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

After Caleb Downs, it seemed like there was a full round or so drop off until the next safety would come off the board. However, after Oregon S Dillon Thieneman posted a 4.35-second 40 and 41-inch vertical, another safety leaped into the first round. Thieneman is the type of all-around, athletic defensive back who will fit perfectly in Brian Flores' system and (could) be a perfect [successor] for Harrison Smith.

Charles Davis of NFL Media

March 5

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

Thieneman's athleticism — on full display at the combine — and smarts are top notch. He could be a perfect replacement for one of the best if Harrison Smith decides to retire.

Nate Davis of USA TODAY

March 2

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

Mainstay S Harrison Smith, 37, may or may not return for a 15th NFL campaign. But even if Smith comes back, McNeil-Warren would represent a much better wingman – and one with a comparable skill set to Smith's given his penchant for big hits and finding the ball.

Brendan Donahue of SHARP Football Analysis

March 6

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

His 9.67 RAS performance at the combine, matched with his 91.0 grade from PFF last year, likely cemented his spot in the top 20 of this draft.

Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports

March 2

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

Losing future Hall of Famer Harrison Smith to retirement would be a huge blow for this secondary, but McNeil-Warren has the tools to be a worthy successor. His tape is full of splash plays, and he's got impressive physical traits that give him a ton of upside.

Jamie Eisner of The Draft Network

March 2

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

Pretty much everyone I talk to about Dillon Thieneman says he's going in the first round. If that's the case, I can't ignore how great of a fit he'd be with the Vikings. Thieneman checks a lot of boxes: experience, ball production, range, football IQ, etc. If there were ever a draft to throw positional value out the window in Round 1, this is it. Take the seamless fit. Oh, and he ran like the wind at the NFL Combine, too.

Daniel Flick of Sports Illustrated

March 3

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

Harrison Smith hasn't made a final decision on whether he'll return for next season, but even if he plays, the Vikings should get ahead of the curve. They have questions at cornerback, the offensive and defensive lines, and, to a degree, quarterback. But safety is a pressing need if Smith retires, and Thieneman is a strong replacement. He impressed athletically at the combine, and he put together three years of terrific tape in the Big Ten. Thieneman is steady and versatile, two core attributes of a potential Smith replacement.

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports

March 4

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

Dillon Thieneman is another player who did himself a world of good during the combine. He was excellent for Oregon last year, and his athleticism was blinding in Indianapolis.

FOX Sports Staff

March 4

Henry McKenna projects at No. 18: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

Banks was a monster during the combine — one of the many elite athletes who absolutely showed out during drills and measurements. He would be a real nightmare in the middle of the Minnesota defense, which already boasts elite talents on the edge.

Matthew Gideon of LiveScore

March 9

Gideon projects at No. 18: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

They need to make improvements to the secondary, but the Vikings have a dire need at the nose tackle spot. … They need more bodies along the defensive line, and Banks is a massive, run-stuffing body (6-foot-6, 327 pounds) who tested extremely well at the combine.

Jacob Infante of Pro Football Network

March 9

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

A 6-2 safety with impressive size, length, and straight-line speed, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has freakish athleticism with the potential to go higher than many expect. He's a hard hitter and a smart processor who deserves an early-round pick in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.

Danny Kelly of The Ringer

March 4

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

The Vikings grab their long-term successor to Harrison Smith. Thieneman is a rangy and instinctive defensive back who can line up and make plays all across the back seven. He solidified himself as a first-rounder with an impressive combine, running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash while jumping 41 inches in the vert and 10 feet, 5 inches in the broad jump.

Mel Kiper, Jr., of ESPN

Feb. 24

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

Harrison Smith is 37 years old; he might retire this offseason, and even if he returns, the safety room in Minnesota still has to be replenished. How about a Smith clone? Thieneman might not have Smith's 6-foot-2 size (he's 6-foot), but he reads the QB well and is savvy. That matters a lot in defensive coordinator Brian Flores' defense, which asks a lot of rookies. Plus, Thieneman has versatility to move around the alignment, is a force against the run and had a six-INT season at Purdue back in 2023 before transferring to Oregon. He'd be a seamless fit in the Vikings defense.

Charles McDonald & Nate Tice of Yahoo! Sports

March 6

McDonald projects at No. 24 (via Cleveland): Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

After flipping down with the Browns, the Vikings take a big swing at defensive tackle with Banks. He isn't a finished product, but he's a lot more polished than most designated projects and was incredibly disruptive in the three games he played this past season. His movement skills and footwork are incredibly rare at 6-6, 330, but he struggles to finish plays off the penetration he creates.

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY

March 9

Middlehurst-Schwartz projects at No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Since the combine, no one has crashed the first-round conversation quite like Thieneman has. The 6-0, 201-pounder combines sizzling speed and admirable instincts to make plays in coverage almost anywhere on the field. As an eventual successor to Harrison Smith, Thieneman would provide plenty of flexibility and versatility on the back end of Brian Flores' defense.

Jordan Reid of ESPN

March 5

Reid projects at No. 18: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

At 6-6, 327 pounds, Banks is a towering presence who would give Minnesota a key player inside. The Vikings have gravitated toward explosive athletes like Banks, who jumped 32 inches in the vertical and ran a 5.04-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Banks has an injury history, but he also has plenty of potential and is an ideal fit in coordinator Brian Flores' defense.

Reid projects at No. 49 in Round 2: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

The Vikings have recently struggled to find starters outside Round 1. They need help at linebacker, as Eric Wilson is a free agent who turns 32 next season [Editor's Note: Wilson agreed to terms with the Vikings on Monday, returning to the team on a new multiyear contract]. Rodriguez would provide Minnesota a plug-and-play option at the second level of Brian Flores' defense.

Geoff Schwartz of FOX Sports

March 5

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

He tested well at the combine and plays downhill fast in the run game. He's just a quality ball player and a good addition for the Vikings.

Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus

March 2

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

I love McCoy's 2024 tape, and he earned an elite 89.6 PFF coverage grade for his efforts as just a true sophomore. But he is 13 months removed from a torn ACL and still didn't work out at the combine. That doesn't exactly help when it comes to answering questions about his health. He also measured in a bit smaller than expected, at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds with 31 1/4-inch arms. All of that to say, he's an elite cover cornerback and worthy of a first-round pick if healthy.

Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports

March 6

Wilson projects at No. 18: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

Like [Clemson edge T.J.] Parker, Woods didn't look the same in '25 that he did in '24. That said, he was still frequently dominant, and I could see him going off the board 5-10 picks earlier. The Vikings have serious needs along the defensive line, so they'll happily take Woods here.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com

March 4

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

The tape already showed an instinctive safety with the ability to maneuver around the field, but after Thieneman's incredible combine performance, it will be hard for the Vikings not to see the next Harrison Smith.

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.