Final Vikings Mock Draft Tracker

After months of Combines, Pro Days, and rises and falls on prospective big boards, we have arrived at Round 1 of the NFL Draft. The Minnesota Vikings enter without a permanent general manager. Interim GM Rob Brzezinski, Kevin O’Connell, and Brian Flores will serve as the decision-makers throughout the process.

Let’s take one last look at what all of the experts expect the Minnesota Vikings to do on draft day and what they all think will happen at pick 18.

Kiper and Yates (ESPN+)

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Kiper and Yates stick to their previous predictions, and, much like a majority of their fellow experts, believe that Thieneman to the Vikings is one of the most certain picks in the draft. They discuss Minnesota's need for safety, note that Thieneman is the best safety in the class at forcing turnovers, and identify this as a pick that makes sense. They also allude to Thieneman’s improvement in tackling, which has helped him rocket up the board.

Peter Schrager (ESPN+)

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Schrager, much like his ESPN brethren, also sees Thieneman ending up in Minnesota. He points to the Vikings' need for safety and the attributes that would make Thieneman a perfect fit at the position. However, Schrager also points to the potential impending need at tight end, with Hockenson on the last year of his deal, and brings up the most popular alternative to Thieneman, Kenyon Sadiq.

Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com)

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

In somewhat of a shock, Jeremiah has the Vikings going cornerback and selecting Tennessee's Colton Hood. Despite adding James Pierre in the offseason to an already underrated secondary unit, Jeremiah argues that Hood adds to Minnesota's secondary, providing them much-needed youth at the position.

Alec Lewis (The Athletic)

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The first person to mock an offensive player, Lewis has the Vikings taking the premier tight end prospect in this class in Sadiq. Lewis also discusses Hockenson being in the last year of his now-reworked contract, and, maybe more importantly, Sadiq and how his addition would help new quarterback Kyler Murray.

Lewis opines that Sadiq would be the type of target Murray has had success getting the ball to in past seasons, and that his flexibility on where he can line up in the offense would provide some fun wrinkles in the offense for Kevin O’Connell and co.

Paul Allen (Power Trip Mock Draft)

Dillion Thieneman, S, Oregon

Paul Allen and Co spoke in depth about a multitude of players at this position, from Sadiq to Jermod McCoy to Spencer Fano, but they ultimately landed on the safe pick when it comes to Thieneman. Allen argued that the Vikings do like Sadiq and agreed that, even if Harrison Smith returns, he would not likely play all 17 games and would need a high-level replacement.

Allen also spoke about the need for excellent communicators on the front end and the back end of this Brian Flores defense and how, while Cashman fills that role for the front seven, the back end has nobody in that spot. He praised Thieneman’s cerebral ability to communicate at a high level and make sure that players are in the right spots when they need to be.

Allen stated that while he thinks Thieneman is the most likely selection, he doesn’t believe it's the end-all be-all at pick 18.