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Two Vikings Draft Prospects Show Out at Combine

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Dillon Thieneman meets with the media at the 2026 NFL Combine. © Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

There are plenty of different avenues the Minnesota Vikings could pursue when choosing what to do with their 18th overall pick. The roster has significant depth holes, which could result in them simply choosing the best player available.

Combine Results Highlight Vikings’ Options for Pick No. 18

As things stand now, a pair of Oregon Ducks are expected to be available when they are officially on the clock, but both have raised their stock at the NFL Combine. Dillon Thieneman crushed multiple drills and then blazed a trail during the 40-yard dash.

It’s not just the safety that caused waves, though. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq has always been the most likely first-round pick from Oregon this cycle, and he matches up with Minnesota well.

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Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq (TE23) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

T.J. Hockenson carries a cap number north of $21 million this season. Despite the salary cap surpassing $300 million for the first time, the Minnesota Vikings still have plenty of hurdles to work through. They need to move more than $40 million around, and the veteran tight end is a boat anchor.

Last season, the Vikings did their tight end no favors by placing poor quarterbacks under center on a near-weekly basis. However, he is nowhere near the top end of the league and is a prime candidate to be restructured, traded, or outright cut. If and when that happens, Kenyon Sadiq becomes a shiny new toy for Kevin O’Connell.

The Oregon Ducks tight end turned 51 receptions into 560 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He was easily the most dynamic tight end in the nation and showed off athleticism, along with an ability to contribute in blocking schemes.

Showing out at the combine was never going to be surprising given how much of a physical freak he is, but he may have taken things up a notch. Not only did he post a blazing 40-yard dash time, but he leapt off the earth for his vertical jump, too.

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Minnesota needs to figure something out at tight end if they decide to move off of Hockenson. Josh Oliver is under contract, but little certainty remains beyond that. Sadiq would add another playmaking option to Kevin O’Connell’s offense, and he would pair well with Oliver in the same vein that Hockenson has.

Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Most mock drafts have Sadiq lasting beyond the Vikings’ first-round pick, but that may no longer be the case after his showing in Indianapolis. Still, he may be a talent that Minnesota can’t afford not to prioritize, and he could wind up being the next significant difference maker at the position across the entire league.


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Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler

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NFL fans react as Tom Brady arrives for Fanatics Flag Football Classic game

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Tom Brady arrived at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles with a look that only meant one thing: business. The seven-time Super Bowl champion worked hard to hype up the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, even engaging in a tense back-and-forth with WWE superstar Logan Paul in the lead-up to the event.

After several months of waiting and a change of venue due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, the event became a reality. The NFL’s X account shared a video of Brady entering the stadium while wearing a white Fanatics hat with a white T-shirt and black pants. He had a serious look, which drew plenty of attention from fans.

Plenty of people made the same comment about Brady taking things too seriously.

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“The way he’s dressed tells me he’s taking this way too seriously. Flag football is about to get its first ever 7-time Super Bowl winning ‘amateur’ lol,” one fan said.

The way he’s dressed tells me he’s taking this way too seriously. Flag football is about to get its first ever 7-time Super Bowl winning ‘amateur’ lol

“Yeah… if you know, you know 👀 this one about to be lowkey elite. I’m tuning in just to see who shows out fr,” another fan said.

Yeah… if you know, you know 👀 this one about to be lowkey elite. I’m tuning in just to see who shows out fr

“Tom Brady is definitely going to treat a friendly flag football game like it’s the Super Bowl. Someone’s catching a stray today,” another fan predicted.

Tom Brady is definitely going to treat a friendly flag football game like it’s the Super Bowl. Someone’s catching a stray today.

Tom Brady’s vibe caught a lot of attention, and people continued to say the same about his approach.

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“Yeah this one feels different already 👀 You can tell it’s not just a casual run-out, there’s real competition and pride in it. Events like this always surprise you with moments you didn’t expect. Definitely tuning in to see who actually shows up and takes over,” one fan said.

“Brady getting ready to cook,” another fan said.

“Here we go… someone’s about to take this way too seriously,” another fan said.

ALSO READ: “One of the highlights of my life”: Tom Brady recalls ‘scary’ Indy 500 experience as new IndyCar era begins

Tom Brady called out opposing QBs Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow before FFFC

Tom Brady didn’t hesitate to hype up the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. His old trash-talking version returned during Wednesday’s draft. The New England Patriots legend called out Washington Commanders legend Jayden Daniels, mocking him by saying his mother/agent let him play.

Additionally, he threw shade at Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow after he was seen leaving the Oscars with Brady’s rumored girlfriend, Alix Earle.

It seems that Brady took it a little personally, and he won’t back down against the new generation.

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