The Minnesota Vikings are a fascinating team at 18th overall. Going into the NFL Draft, you can make an argument for the Vikings to take just about any position in the first round.

That kind of fluidity is good for taking the best player on the board, but it’s not at the same time, since that speaks poorly about how your roster is currently constructed. Even with that kind of flexibility, there are players the Vikings would be wise to avoid in round one.

Here are my least preferred options at 18th overall.

Previous selections

After the first wave of free agency, the list of players looked like this:

• 5. Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
• 4. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
• 3. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
• 2. Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
• 1. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

5. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Scouting Report

Cornerback is an interesting position for the Vikings. Brian Flores’ scheme is designed specifically to help out the cornerback position. It’s one of the main reasons why the Vikings haven’t made it a priority in recent years.

Delane is an interesting player. He excels more in man coverage, especially in press. That doesn’t translate to what the Vikings do well on defense. Flores has preferred to play off coverage, which isn’t the best use of Delane’s abilities. With the depth of this cornerback class, passing on Delane if he’s there is a smart decision.

4. Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

For many, center is a position that should be a priority for the Vikings. Ryan Kelly was great when he was healthy, but there were concerns about it. Blake Brandel was solid enough at the position, but his snapping was erratic at best. They are making him a full-time center, which should help alleviate those issues.

Fano projects to be a good offensive lineman, but taking a right tackle just to kick him inside to center isn’t good process, especially when snapping issues were a key part of the lack of offensive success.

3. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. McDonald is a very good player. There is one small problem: he doesn’t offer anything as a pass rusher. That’s a key element for a defensive tackle being selected in the first round, especially as high as 18th overall. The Vikings don’t need to make the run defense a major focus, as their step back in run defense was more than made up for with their exceptional growth in pass defense. Taking a non-premium position for a specialized role in the first round is poor process.

This is a “say no to Kayden McDonald at 18th overall” tweet https://t.co/c2L1AQV083

— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) March 19, 2026

2. Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State

This one is solely due to what the Vikings have on the offensive line. Ioane is a mauler of a player and he projects to be a very good pro. However, the Vikings just spent a first-round pick on a guard last season in Donovan Jackson, and Will Fries is signed to a big contract on the other side of the center, a position Ioane likely can’t play. Taking him would feel like a waste of a selection on a team that needs immediate contributors.

1. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

I’m on somewhat of an island here, as I have a high third-round grade on Thieneman and he’s 47th overall on my big board. He’s a good player who will end up being a good player for a defense, but that doesn’t scream first-round talent. Thieneman has been the most popular with our mock draft tracker by far.

For me, his testing didn’t turn up on tape, and he struggled to play as a deep safety. Where he thrived was in the box. The Vikings already have a really good player in the box in Josh Metellus, and having someone who isn’t limited in playstyle like Lewis Cine should be what the Vikings look for. I wish I had seen his athleticism pop on film, but it just didn’t for me.