Have the Vikings found their target for the first-round of the draft?

The Minnesota Vikings will eventually have to address the elephant in the room regarding the potential for a Harrison Smith return. The veteran safety is destined to end his career in Canton, Ohio, but he needs to decide if he is done in Minneapolis before that can happen.

With just 11 days left until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, the Vikings are going to have to make a harsh decision without his blessing, potentially. It all goes back to what ESPN's Matt Miller is hearing ahead of the league's annual selection meeting on the 23rd.

He has hinted that the team will go with a safety to fill the looming hole in the back of the secondary.

Miller explained his thinking behind the direction of the Vikings, writing, "Safety Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) is the most mocked player to Minnesota, and for good reason. Word is the front office views him as a seamless replacement for veteran Harrison Smith. The Vikings must hit at a higher rate on Day 2 picks, and with that in mind I've heard the team will target players with higher college production over potential or traits."

Thieneman has been mocked to the Vikings for what seems like months now, and is nearly the consensus selection for them among experts. Based on what Miller is hearing, there seems to be a good reason for that.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: The Vikings seem destined to draft a safety to replace Harrison Smith