A Draft Insider Just Validated a Popular Vikings Belief

Dillon Thieneman ending up with the Minnesota Vikings next week is no secret; in fact, one insider confirmed this week that the belief remains widespread.

Thieneman to the Vikings has been shouted to the high heavens for the last six weeks.

Between the Vikings and Carolina Panthers, Thieneman evidently won’t slip out of the Top 20.

Minnesota Has a Variety of Options at No. 18 — and One Frontrunner

The Vikings need a safety for the long term.

Tony Pauline: Thieneman to MIN or CAR Is Likely

Pauline actually spent time addressing Treydan Stukes’s draft stock, mentioning Thieneman for context.

He noted Wednesday, “Some teams grade Treydan Stukes as the third safety on their board after Caleb Downs and Thieneman. Other teams rank him as the top nickel back in the draft, ahead of D’Angelo Ponds. The earlier Thieneman is drafted, the quicker Stukes will come off the board.”

“Right now, word inside the league is that Thieneman could end up with the Vikings at pick 18 or the Panthers at pick 19.”

Vikings fans extrapolated the intel as further confirmation that Thieneman to the Twin Cities is real.

A Natural Fit for the Harrison Smith Afterlife

Smith completed Year No. 14 in 2025, and truth be told, the final few games felt like a retirement send-off, especially Minnesota’s Week 18 win over the Detroit Lions. But when the offseason arrived, Smith did not retire; three months later, his future remains uncertain. He could return for one more hurrah; he could notfiy the club of his retirement plans at any minute.

The Vikings drafted Lewis Cine in 2022 and a Smith succession plan, but that didn’t work out — he was a bust — and that was four years ago. Knowing that Smith is nearing the end no matter what, it’s time to forge a plan without him.

Many see stylistic similarities between Thieneman and Smith. He’s become the Vikings’ ultimate mock-draft darling accordingly. Thieneman fired up an NFL Combine for the ages, dragging his then-Round-2 draft stock firmly into Round 1.

Thieneman’s Bio

Thieneman’s production immediately stands out; in 39 games at Purdue and Oregon, he logged 306 tackles, 8 interceptions, and 10 tackles for loss. He established his reputation in the Big Ten, and his subsequent move to Oregon further elevated his profile heading into 2025.

His Combine performance validated the hype. He ran a blazing 4.35 forty and posted an impressive 41-inch vertical, numbers that align with his on-field performance. At 6’0″ and 200 pounds, he demonstrates the range and versatility to play single-high, drop into the box, and execute various coverage and run support assignments.

He closes space quickly and anticipates developing plays with a rare confidence for a young safety. While occasional hesitations are present, as expected given his experience, his speed and awareness suggest he’s on a trajectory toward becoming a Round 1 pick.

The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler on Thieneman: “Thieneman reminds me of Justin Reid because of his scheme-friendly recognition skills and eagerness to get busy as a run defender. He projects as a durable NFL starter and has versatility that should appeal to a variety of defensive structures.”

“With his open-field athleticism, Thieneman has a lot to offer in the NFL because of his versatility making plays over the top in coverage or downhill versus the run. He shows impressive range and anticipation from the deep half of the field, as well as the intelligence to understand what opponents are trying to do. Although he doesn’t always play up to his testing numbers, he can guard both sidelines and sort through routes.”

Other R1 Possibilities for MIN

If the selection next week is not Thieneman for Minnesota, it could obviously draft someone else at No. 18. These would be the logical candidates:

• Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
• Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
• Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
• Keldric Faulk (DL, Auburn)

Via trade back, these rookies could be in play:

• Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Tennessee)
• Kevin Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
• T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
• Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
• Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
• Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
• Kayden McDonald (DL, Ohio State)
• Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
• Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
• C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)

The Vikings have nine picks on the docket next week, up from five last year. Sportsbooks expect Minnesota to pick a safety in Round 1 — probably Thieneman. After safety as the betting frontrunner, a defensive lineman and an offensive lineman check in at No. 2 and No. 3.

Some expect Minnesota to swerve and take Sadiq, the tight end from Oregon, or Tyson, the wideout from Arizona State.