Dillon Thieneman, an Oregon safety, is projected to be selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Analysts believe he fits the team's needs perfectly, especially with the potential departure of veteran Harrison Smith.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh next week, a city that could be where the Vikings select the next star they add to their roster in hopes of righting the proverbial ship. Before then, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup for the team and who they may add to the roster through the draft. Thankfully, we now have some added context for players now that the scouting combine has come and gone.
NFL Media's Gennaro Filice recently released the latest 2026 NFL mock draft of the cycle, which has the team going with a familiar name for fans. He has them going with Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, who is nearly cemented to be a Viking based on how mock drafts are going. We have seen him time and again picked for the Vikings and it isn't going to stop anytime soon.
Filice explains the Thieneman pick, writing, "I just can’t get away from this perfect pairing. And neither can anyone else -- as my fellow mockophiles can attest. It’s not hard to understand why: With Harrison Smith seemingly walking off into the sunset after patrolling Minnesota’s secondary since Barack Obama’s first term as president, the Vikings need a safety. And Thieneman provides the kind of versatility Brian Flores lives to exploit."
Thieneman may be a boring pick at this point, but he remains the right one, it seems. He is perfect for what this defense needs from its safety group, and his athleticism would bring a breath of fresh air in.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Mock Draft: Dillon Thieneman once again selected for the Vikings
Dillon Thieneman is expected to be picked by the Vikings due to his versatility and the team's need for a safety following Harrison Smith's likely departure.
Drafting Dillon Thieneman would enhance the Vikings' secondary, providing athleticism and versatility that aligns with defensive coordinator Brian Flores' strategy.
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place next week in Pittsburgh.
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