Popular Minnesota Vikings target is skyrocketing up mock drafts, and he’s compared to a legendary defender

Everone seems to be set on the Vikings replacing Harrison Smith.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The NFL Draft is the next big event on the NFL calendar. Just one week into free agency, there have been numerous changes across the league that will impact the NFL Draft. For the Minnesota Vikings, they haven’t exactly done a lot.

So far in free agency, they retained linebacker Eric Wilson, running back Aaron Jones, and cornerback Tavierre Thomas, while signing just two outside players in cornerback James Pierre and quarterback Kyler Murray.

Without having filled multiple holes to this point, and arguably creating a massive one by releasing defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, how they will approach the NFL Draft will be a fascinating one to watch. It’s even more so when you look at how the industry is viewing the Vikings.

Dillon Thieneman is becoming the runaway favorite for the Vikings

Throughout the first seven weeks of the yearly mock draft tracker I do for the Vikings, there was a clear leader for the 18th overall selection: Clemson Tigers CB Avieon Terrell. He was sent to the Vikings a whopping 53 times before anyone selected Oregon Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman. That changed quickly, with his first selections coming the week before the NFL Scouting Combine, and he’s quickly risen to being the most popular.

Over the last three weeks, Thieneman has been sent to the Vikings a whopping 30 times out of 100 selections, including 23 out of 47 last week alone. Those numbers are crazy high, but it makes sense after his insane performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash, had a 41″ vertical jump, and a 10’5″ broad jump.

He’s trending to be selected 13 times this week, including The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner.

“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.”

I’m not sold on Dillon Thieneman

While many have jumped on the Thieneman bandwagon after his workout and testing, I’m still not sold. The main reason is that the athletic testing didn’t exactly show up on tape for me. Here is my scouting report on Thieneman, which netted him a high third-round grade.

Strengths

  • Very comfortable playing in the box. Was used a lot in the front seven for the Ducks this past season. Much more comfortable moving forward than anything else.
  • Stays clean in pursuit of ball carriers. Does a good job of ducking around blockers and getting to the football.
  • Has a quick trigger downhill. Thieneman recognizes what’s going on in front of him and attacks accordingly.
  • Shows plus aptitude for blitzing. Is at his best either playing in the box or on the roof in quarters.

Weaknesses

  • Struggles in coverage. Doesn’t have the recovery speed necessary to play single high, nor man coverage skills.
  • Isn’t the strongest tackler. Running backs will run him over in 1v1 situations.
  • Gets a little too aggressive in coverage and jump routes underneath.

He’s a fascinating player who is being linked to the Vikings because of the parallels many are making to Harrison Smith. Is he worthy of the 18th overall pick? I’m not convinced, but many seem to be. No matter your opinion on Thieneman, don’t be surprised if he ends up in purple and gold.

Related Articles