Vikings Mock Draft Tracker 16.0: 3 days until the NFL Draft, consensus continues focus on Dillon Thieneman

The Minnesota Vikings are relatively easy to figure out in the NFL Draft when it comes to how consensus views them

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman, right, brings down Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman, right, brings down Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

We have just 3 days remaining until the NFL Draft, and the Minnesota Vikings could be a turning point in the first round.

You can make a serious argument for the Vikings to take just about any position. Safety, cornerback, linebacker, defensive tackle, edge rusher, and wide receiver are the most likely positions they will choose from.

Over the last 16 weeks, we have gathered 477 mock drafts, including 49 this week. Here are the results of those mock drafts, with a heavy focus once again on safety.

Minnesota Vikings NFL mock draft tracker 15.0

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

“If Thieneman is on the board, I would find it hard to believe that the Vikings will pass on him. With Harrison Smith potentially retiring, Minnesota needs an impact safety on the back end. Thieneman can wear a lot of hats for an already talented defense.” – Roberts

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

“McCoy to 18 may feel ike a slide, and perhaps it is coming draft night, but there are some real concerns regarding his durability. Despite missing all of 2025, he still wasn’t ready for the NFL Combine. He did, however, put on a show at his Pro Day, and his 2024 tape is the best of any corner in the class. I could see him excelling with a defensive mastermind like Brian Flores.” – A to Z Sports’ Rob Gregson

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

“It appears as though Harrison Smith’s watch has ended in Minnesota. He was a key player for that team for over a decade but they are ushering in a new era with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Three safeties taken in the top-20 overall is proof of an unconventional draft.” – Edwards

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

“Caleb Downs is going to grade as one of the better players in this draft, so the Vikings will hit a home run with their Harrison Smith replacement. I tried to find a place for Downs earlier in this draft, but it just didn’t happen.” – Schwartz

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

“The Minnesota Vikings really don’t want to have to start J.J. McCarthy again, so they opt to reinforce Kyler Murray’s offensive line by selecting Kadyn Proctor, arguably the most physically tantalizing offensive lineman in this draft. At his massive size, Minnesota aims to move him inside to guard if Will Fries continues to struggle. However, their defensive backs and wide receiver rooms could have depth here.” – Podell

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

“The biggest needs for the Vikings are at defensive tackle (where there aren’t great prospects in round one) and the secondary (where the draft is loaded on day two). Sadiq would give them a better third option at wide receiver than Tai Felton while being developed to take over for T.J. Hockenson in 2027.” – Forness

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

“Pairing McDonald, a dominant nose tackle, with Jalen Redmond would help solve many of the Vikings’ issues up front.” – Hunt

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

“The Vikings had real issues catching the football last season, and the situation hasn’t exactly improved. With Jalen Nailor now in Las Vegas, they’re currently planning to give Tai Felton and his three rookie receptions a starting role. That’s a problem.

This pick might feel a bit rich for Boston, but based on conversations I had with a couple of teams over the weekend, the gap between him, KC Concepcion, and Omar Cooper Jr. isn’t nearly as wide for some teams as the draft community may think. It really comes down to stylistic preference, and for Minnesota, the need is clear: a big, physical outside receiver to complement Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Boston fits that mold perfectly.” – McShay

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

“Love may not go fourth overall, but his slide ends here. The Vikings have a need at running back and nine picks in this draft. Rather than sitting back and hoping he falls, they get aggressive and snap him up.” – Fornelli

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

“The Vikings come away from this pick hoping the speedy, fiery Hood ends their interminable search for a shutdown outside corner. They have a long-term need at the position, too, with Isaiah Rodgers set to enter free agency after 2026 and Byron Murphy due a huge base salary ($17.4 million, per Over The Cap) in 2027.” – Reuter

Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)

“Minnesota needs a pass rush in a division full of high-end QBs, and Mesidor fits Brian Flores’ style. When you’re facing Jordan Love, Jared Goff and Caleb Williams, defensive pressure is a must.” – McFadden

Overview

The last full week brings a whopping 49 mock drafts, which is down from 63 in the same week last season. We are also severely behind the pace of last season with just 477 mock drafts, compared to 564 in 2025. It is trending to be at or ahead of the 545 from the 2023 NFL Draft cycle.

PlayerSelection
S Dillon Thieneman169
CB Avieon Terrell74
S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren56
CB Jermod McCoy30
DT Kayden McDonald23
DT Peter Woods21
DT Caleb Banks16
CB Mansoor Delane14
RB Jeremiyah Love13
CB Colton Hood11
CB Brandon Cisse6
WR Denzel Boston6
S Caleb Downs5
TE Kenyon Sadiq4
LB C.J. Allen4
OG Olaivavega Ioane3
WR Jordyn Tyson3
EDGE Keldric Faulk3
DT A’Mauri Washington2
WR Makai Lemon2
CB Chris Johnson2
OL Spencer Fano2
OT Kadyn Proctor2
EDGE Akheem Mesidor2
WR Carnell Tate1
QB Ty Simpson1
EDGE T.J. Parker1
WR Omar Cooper Jr.1
Total477

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