Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Tracker 10.0: Post-NFL Scouting Combine sees a massive shift in expectations for Brian Flores’ defense

The NFL Scouting Combine did a lot to shift what the NFL Draft will look like for the Minnesota Vikings.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings are set to be big players in free agency.

Don’t get too excited, they won’t be high rollers like last season. They will be adding multiple pieces, but on a more budget-friendly scale.

The NFL Scouting Combine gave us a lot of fascinating data with top NFL Draft prospects. That information has changed the way draft analysts have perceived what the Vikings will do under interim general manager Rob Brzezinski.

We saw a significant shift in who the Vikings will select in the first round.

Minnesota Vikings mock draft tracker 10.0

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.’”)” – Brugler

Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

“Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is expected to be released and Jonathan Allen could follow, leaving the Vikings extremely thin along the interior defensive line. 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

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

“With so many questions about Jordan Addison, I believe adding a similar WR, but with a better total package via Lemon, is a great play for Minnesota. Some may be turned off by his podium presser from the Combine, but Lemon didn’t win the Fred Biletnikoff Award via a popularity contest. He’s a deadly technician from the slot who can also win vertically when pressed by nickels and make plays after the catch.” – A to Z Sports’ Staff

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Scouting Report

“Love’s slide stops here, even if the cash-strapped Vikings have plenty of other holes to fill. JJ McCarthy’s national title came as part of a Michigan offense that ran the ball nearly 60 percent of the time. Minnesota won’t touch that number, but Love’s presence could lighten the load considerably and set up plenty of third-and-manageable situations for a quarterback whose downfield accuracy has been a significant concern.” – D’Andrea

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

“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.” – Crabbs

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Scouting Report

“Terrell didn’t have the interception production you might want to see, but with his aggressiveness, tenacity, athleticism and stickiness in coverage he projects as a high-level starter in the NFL. With the Vikings, he would team up with Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr. to form a top cornerback tandem. Terrell only had three INTs in three years at Clemson, but he had 9.0 tackles for loss and four sacks as well as eight forced fumbles, so his playmaking ability came out in a lot of different ways. The Vikings haven’t taken a corner with a top-20 pick since Trae Waynes in 2015, so they’re due, and Terrell looks like a perfect fit.” – Frank

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

“Like 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.” – Wilson

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

“Colton Hood arguably looked smoother than any other cornerback during on-field position drills. He also ran a 4.40 with a 1.58 ten-yard split, and leaped a 40.5 inch vertical and 10-foot-5 broad jump. Hood pairs first-round athleticism with first-round tape. He’s checked boxes all throughout the pre-draft process, his performance at the Senior Bowl included. The Minnesota Vikings could improve at the position and Brian Flores will be a fan of the player.” – Melo

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Scouting Report

“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. ” – Sikkema

C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

Scouting Report

“Linebacker isn’t at the top of the needs for the Vikings across the board, but it’s one long-term need. They don’t have a linebacker signed to the roster after the 2026 season, with Blake Cashman set to be a free agent. Allen has all of the ability to thrive in Brian Flores’ defense and can be eased into the role.” – Forness

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Scouting Report

“This is the farthest that I have seen Delane fall in the draft in some time, but as we know in the draft world, anything can happen. Delane has the ability to become a stellar outside cornerback, as well as having the versatility to become a huge asset in the slot. His skill set is a very easy sell.” – Roberts

Overview

This week, we saw 47 mock drafts collected post-NFL Scouting Combine, and that’s not too much of a surprise. Last year, there were 46 after the combine, but there wasn’t the seismic shift last year that we saw here.

Thieneman was responsible for half of the selections this week after his tremendous performance in Indianapolis. The Vikings do need safety, and 30 selections went to that position. Through the first 10 weeks, the data is quite interesting to parse through.

PlayerSelections
CB Avieon Terrell67
S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren33
S Dillon Thieneman30
CB Jermod McCoy15
DT Kayden McDonald14
DT Caleb Banks14
CB Mansoor Delane13
CB Colton Hood10
RB Jeremiyah Love10
DT Peter Woods7
CB Brandon Cisse6
WR Denzel Boston5
TE Kenyon Sadiq4
LB C.J. Allen4
OG Olaivavega Ioane3
DT A’Mauri Washington2
WR Makai Lemon2
WR Carnell Tate1
CB Chris Johnson1
WR Jordyn Tyson1
EDGE Keldric Faulk1
OT Kadyn Proctor1
QB Ty Simpson1
Total245

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