Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Tracker 14.0: Dillon Thieneman continues to dominate, while Caleb Downs and Spencer Fano debut

The Minnesota Vikings are going to be fascinating to watch in the NFL Draft. The majority of NFL Draft analysts believe that Oregon S Dillon Thieneman will be the selection, but Caleb Downs entered the picture.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates a defensive stop during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium.
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates a defensive stop during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

We are just 17 days away from the NFL Draft, and the Minnesota Vikings’ strategy is at the forefront of the discussion.

As things currently stand, the strategy for the Vikings isn’t known, but there are multiple options available. Do they take the route of prioritizing their biggest needs? Best available player? Trading down for more draft picks? Whatever selection the Vikings make, there are players for any strategy.

Over the past week, we gathered 38 mock drafts, and eight players were included in that sample. The one interesting thing about those selections: it was the first time we saw Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs included.

Minnesota Vikings mock draft tracker 14.0

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

“If Thieneman is somehow there when the Vikings pick, they need to run to the podium. With Harrison Smith’s future in question, Minnesota needs a safety who can create some game-changing plays. That defines Thieneman perfectly.” – Ryan Roberts 

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.” – Shook

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

“Some believe that safeties just aren’t valuable enough in today’s NFL to justify a top-10 selection, but I think Downs’ tape over the past three seasons proves that he is the best player in this draft class. If he slips far enough, some savvy team is going to look brilliant. Sign me up for Downs in Brian Flores’ defense. Minnesota might have to give up both of their third-round picks (Nos. 82 and 97) to pull off a trade into the top 10, but as the signing of Kyler Murray proves, the Vikings aren’t afraid of bold action.” – Rang

Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

“The Minnesota Vikings have an opportunity to land the class’ best offensive tackle prospect and then move him to center.

While the approach may come across like a poor use of resources, the type of versatility that Utah’s Spencer Fano potentially brings will help the entire offense, while simultaneously upgrading a unit that will be vital as Minnesota attempts to find its long-term solution at quarterback.

“Minnesota has a hole at center following Ryan Kelly’s retirement, while right tackle Brian O’Neill is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season,” Thorn said. “Fano’s profile is reminiscent of current Packers right tackle Zach Tom coming out of Wake Forest.

“While rumors of Tom sliding inside to center never materialized, Fano’s would in this scenario. Minnesota is set at the other four spots for the upcoming season. Still, Fano’s athletic ability is an instant weapon within Kevin O’Connell’s designed run game and offers a potential long-term option at right tackle if O’Neill is not retained.” – Bleacher Report

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.” – Zierlein

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.” – Tice & McDonald

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

“When the time comes, we don’t expect Jeremiyah Love to last this long. He’s the only running back good enough to go in the first two rounds and some team is going to trade up to get him. It could be the Minnesota Vikings. If the round plays out like this, there’s no way the Vikings pass up on Love, who fills their biggest roster need on offense.” – Popejoy

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

“When you look at the Vikings’ depth chart, defensive tackle is arguably the biggest position of need. It became a major one after cutting Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Woods is an interesting player. His 2025 season was relatively disappointing after being a projected top-five pick over the summer. He can do everything that Brian Flores wants in terms of penetration, stunts, and stopping the run. It’s a risk selecting Woods after a rough 2025, but that was the story of Clemson’s season.” – Forness

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.” – Reuter

Overview

We are starting to get to the thick of it for the Vikings. 386 mock drafts in, and the most interesting element is the addition of Downs and Utah Utes right tackle, Spencer Fano, not being included in the sample the entire process.

We are now up to 27 players sent to the Vikings across 386 mock drafts. Here’s how they break down.

PlayerSelections
S Dillon Thieneman117
CB Avieon Terrell72
S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren47
CB Jermod McCoy22
DT Kayden McDonald20
DT Peter Woods17
DT Caleb Banks16
CB Mansoor Delane14
RB Jeremiyah Love11
CB Colton Hood10
CB Brandon Cisse6
WR Denzel Boston5
TE Kenyon Sadiq4
LB C.J. Allen4
OG Olaivavega Ioane3
S Caleb Downs3
DT A’Mauri Washington2
WR Makai Lemon2
CB Chris Johnson2
OL Spencer Fano2
WR Carnell Tate1
WR Jordyn Tyson1
EDGE Keldric Faulk1
OT Kadyn Proctor1
QB Ty Simpson1
EDGE T.J. Parker1
EDGE Akheem Mesidor1
Total386

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