Draft season is coming to a head with Vikings Top 30 visits this week and evaluations being finalized.

It's totally wild to realize the 2026 event gets underway in 16 days. Where has the time gone?!

Our latest Mock Draft Tracker should help set the stage for what the Vikings might do when they're on the clock a couple picks after the midpoint of the opening round. Of course, the "best guesses" we find don't always come to fruition, and only one prospect will hear his name called with the 18^th overall pick.

It's worthwhile then to learn who some of the anticipated fits are … even if they haven't changed.

That brings us back to an ultra-productive safety who starred at Purdue initially and then Oregon, a guy who experts seemingly can't place on another team because his game reminds them of Harrison Smith.

"The Hitman" hasn't decided on returning for Year 15 or retiring — there's no rush, after all — but in either scenario, pundits think Dillon Thieneman has the talent and traits to make an impact in the NFL.

Thieneman has shown up in more than half the mock drafts we've scouted — 56% in Version 4.0, 60% in 5.0 and 56% again in this iteration (14 out of 25 submissions) — since he verified his athleticism at the combine. His stock arrowed up after running the 40 in 4.35 seconds and posting a 41-inch vertical jump.

Two other prospects appeared more than once in this roundup: two people projected Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy, who didn't play in 2025 due to an ACL injury but reportedly aced his Pro Day with a 40 in the 4.37-4.41 range; and three people casted predictions for Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a long, dynamic player who has been touted as a fun, movable addition for Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores.

The six prospects who flashed as one-offs in this collection of mocks are Florida DL Caleb Banks, Utah OL Spencer Fano, Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald, Miami edge Akheem Mesidor and Clemson DL Peter Woods. This is the first time we've seen Mesidor mentioned as a possible choice for Minnesota in Round 1 (among more than 50 different prognosticators that we have featured).

Alrighty then, here's how draft mavens across the internet imagine pick No. 18 going:

Ben Arthur of FOX Sports

March 26

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

On paper, Thieneman would be the perfect successor to six-time Pro Bowler Harrison Smith, a Vikings Legend who could be retiring after 14 seasons. Thieneman is the best safety in this draft not named Caleb Downs.

Mike Band of Next Gen Stats

March 27

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, the Vikings feel more likely to take a smart, sturdy swing than force a splash move here. In Brian Flores' pressure-heavy structure, safeties are premium pieces, and Thieneman can be the heir apparent to Harrison Smith on the back end.

Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic

April 6

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

A complete athlete with a nose for the ball and enough versatility to play either safety spot (and a bit in the slot), Thieneman feels like almost too good a fit for the Vikings for it to come true. He's exactly what they're looking for.

Baumgardner projects at No. 49 in Round 2: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

There's a non-zero chance they'll be writing books one day about the time Price somehow backed up Love in college. Do not sleep on the former — he'll earn starting touches somewhere as a rookie.

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com

March 24

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

The Vikings could make a seamless transition at safety by replacing Harrison Smith with a playmaking clone. Thieneman is a natural center fielder with the box-area skills to also impact the game as a run defender or designated blitzer off the edge.

Daire Carragher of Pro Football Focus

April 6

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

After checking every box at his highly anticipated pro day, some reports suggest McCoy may not make it this far down the draft board, as he looks like the same athlete he was before tearing his ACL and missing the entire 2025 season. Turn on any of his tape from a year ago, and you will see a cornerback who plays with unmatched tenacity. He is a perfect culture fit under [Defensive Coordinator] Brian Flores.

Charles Davis of NFL Media

March 26

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

The Vikings find the perfect replacement for Harrison Smith.

Nate Davis of USA TODAY

April 6

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

With Harrison Smith's future in doubt, 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.

Tyler Dragon of USA TODAY

April 7

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

Replacing long-time veteran Harrison Smith with Thieneman would be a seamless transition. Thieneman is a center fielder at safety with good speed and size.

Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports

April 2

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

I know some fans might be getting tired of seeing this pairing over and over in just about every mock draft, but there's a reason it keeps happening. It's such a fantastic blend of need and value for the Vikings, who need someone to take the torch as future Hall of Famer Harrison Smith (potentially) rides off into the sunset after an incredible career. Thienemen's athleticism, versatility and playmaking ability at every level of the field would make him a worthy successor.

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports

April 2

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

Safety may not be the highest priority, but it is a need for Minnesota. NFL teams salivate over prospects with ball production and premium athletic traits; Dillon Thieneman checks both boxes. It is difficult to envision him lasting much longer than this point in the first round.

Jaime Eisner of The Draft Network

April 6

Eisner projects at No. 18: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Yes, I know Jeremiyah Love will go earlier than this. But the combination of team needs in the top eight, plus the disincentivization contract-wise of drafting a running back in that range, means he's falling a bit in this "What I Would Do" mock. Love is a top-five talent in this class and would be an instant-impact player with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings need a strong run game while they figure out their short- and long-term quarterback situation, and Love is an elite talent. Drafting a first-round running back means he has to play early and often. Love will get a chance to do that here.

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic

April 1

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

With the great Harrison Smith now 37 and uncertainty about whether he'll retire, Minnesota can grab one of the best defensive players in this draft in the ball-hawking Thieneman, a 6-0, 201-pound freak of an athlete. He made 306 tackles and eight INTs in his three college seasons. At the combine, he ran a 4.35 40 with a 1.52-second 10-yard split, vertical jumped 41 inches and broad jumped 10-5. That elite athleticism shows up on tape, too, and it has since he first got to Purdue, where old Boilermakers coaches say he was the best player in the program from his first day on the team.

"He's good at everything," said a Big Ten offensive assistant who said he was more impressed by Thieneman than Caleb Downs. "You felt him more throughout the game."

"He has really good ball skills, so you've always got to pay attention to where he's at," said a Big Ten OC. "He's very physical as that middle guy in their three-high safety defense and he did a great job of filling once he read that it was run. He's really versatile."

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports

April 1

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

The Vikings are somebody to keep an eye on for a possible trade up, but if they stick where they are, Thieneman feels like a logical choice considering what's likely to be available, and their needs.

Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News

April 2

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

The Vikings need to replenish safety fast. … Thieneman blew up the combine as a dynamic athlete who can give the Vikings a huge playmaking force in coverage.

Mel Kiper, Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid & Field Yates of ESPN

April 2

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

This might be the second-most-predicted pick in mock drafts behind Mendoza to the Raiders. Thieneman can be a smooth-moving replacement for longtime Vikings safety Harrison Smith.

Kiper projects at No. 49 in Round 2: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Aaron Jones, Sr., is 31 years old, and Jordan Mason hasn't made the jump to clear RB1. Neither is signed beyond 2026. And Price is a powerful runner with enough speed to cut and go.

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

Ryan Kelly's retirement this offseason leaves an opening at center. Lew is coming off an ACL injury but has high-end starter traits.

Kiper projects at No. 97 in Round 3: De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss

The Jalen Nailor role behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is open for applicants in the Minnesota offense, and Stribling is fresh off his second straight 800-plus-yard season.

Gilberto Manzano of SI

April 1

Manzano projects at No. 18: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

Fano's versatility would be welcomed by the Vikings because of concerns at multiple positions.

Charles McDonald & Nate Tice of Yahoo! Sports

April 1

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

The Vikings have a few flavors of prospects they could go after with their first-round pick. There are a couple of interesting safety options, they could look to find the T.J. Hockenson replacement in Kenyon Sadiq, or they could add some tangible beef to their defensive line. Brian Flores is going to scheme pressures and big plays for his defense, but the Vikings could use someone to eat up blocks to let teammates fly to the football. McDonald isn't the sexiest prospect, but his ability to hold up against the run is his calling card, while also having light enough feet to be used on the twists and stunts that Flores loves so much. McDonald is basically the defensive version of the line of thinking that led to the Donovan Jackson selection last year at offensive guard: a tangible trench talent who can let the creative coaches be creative.

Justin Melo of NFL Draft on SI

March 30

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

It's become abundantly clear throughout the pre-draft process that Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman is a first-round prospect. The Westfield, Indiana, native ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and leaped a 41-inch vertical at the NFL Combine. Thieneman displays positional versatility on tape, with an ability to play a variety of roles across defensive packages. Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores would appreciate having him.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports

April 6

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

The interior of their defensive line needs a boost after they let go of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Woods was dominant in 2024, but his play tailed off some last year. The talent is there.

Chad Reuter of NFL.com

April 3

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

Banks is a run stuffer with the ability to get in the face (and passing lanes) of opposing quarterbacks. Solid long-term investment for Minnesota's D-line.

Peter Schrager of ESPN

April 7

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

McNeil-Warren is a tall, rangy safety who plays with high energy and is vocal in the defensive backfield. We're still not sure if Harrison Smith will be back at 37 years old, but McNeil-Warren can be the torchbearer once Smith does choose to call it a career. He had five picks over the past three seasons.

Nick Shook of Around The NFL

April 2

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

The Vikings will need a replacement for Harrison Smith sooner or later, whether or not he retires before the season. They find one in McNeil-Warren, a high-energy safety capable of both playing in the box (where he can deliver the blow) and erasing advantages downfield; it's the ideal blend for Brian Flores' creative defense.

Vic Tafur of The Athletic

March 25

Tafur projects at No. 18: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores gets a physical player who can set the edge as well as get to the quarterback (12.5 sacks last season).

Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports

March 30

Wilson projects at No. 18: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

McNeil-Warren is a long, athletic ball hawk who also excels in run support.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com

March 31

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

McCoy is a press man cornerback with good size. He allows Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores even more freedom to crank up exotic blitzes because McCoy can play on an island.

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