Mel Kiper Drops Final Mock Draft

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 01: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks lines up for a play during the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on January 1, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The 2026 NFL Draft is just one week from tomorrow, and the mock drafts are going to be coming fast and furious over the course of the next eight days or so. One exception to that, apparently, is going to be one Mel Kiper. . .dramatic pause. . .draft expert. Over at ESPN, he has dropped what will apparently be his final mock draft before the real thing hits on 23 April, so let’s see what he has projected for our Minnesota Vikings.

In the first round, just like pretty much every other mock draft out there, he has the Vikings taking Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. Do you think he mentioned Harrison Smith in his justification? Let’s find out.

Along with many evaluators, I’ve been projecting Thieneman to Minnesota since before the combine. There’s still uncertainty around Harrison Smith‘s status, but it’s sort of irrelevant because the Vikings have to start planning for the future at safety whether or not Smith is back there in 2026. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores would have Thieneman lined up all over the place to create havoc. He can create turnovers (eight career interceptions), too.

He sure did mention the Hitman! Because. . .well, that’s the immediate, obvious comparison for the immediate, obvious reasons that are so immediate and obvious that we’re not going to mention them here. But, in all seriousness, Thieneman would be a solid pick for the Vikings, and safety is a spot that could use some shoring up whether Smith decides he’s coming back for a fifteenth season in purple or not. Will it play out that way? There are at least a few rumblings out there that Thieneman might not make it to #18, so we’ll have to see what happens.

Moving on to the second round, Kiper has a bit of a curious pick for the Vikings, as he has them selecting Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr.

Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason are on expiring deals, and Washington’s 4.33 speed would add another element to the offense (which also now features Kyler Murray’s mobility under center). Washington ran for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and he added 28 catches out of the backfield.

I. . .don’t know about this one, honestly. I’m sure Washington is a solid back and everything, but with Jones and Mason both back for the Vikings this coming season, surely there’s a better use of resources for the Vikings than taking a running back in Round 2. Kiper’s mock as the Packers taking Clemson CB Avieon Terrell (the younger brother of Falcons’ standout A.J. Terrell and, at one time, a projected first-rounder) three picks after the Vikings take Washington, and the Broncos taking Florida DT Caleb Banks down towards the bottom of the second round. Personally, I’d rather see the Vikings take one of those two guys in that spot and have them address the running back situation later on.

As always, however, your mileage may vary.

What do you think of Mel Kiper’s (apparent) final mock draft of this 2026 Draft season, folks? Let us know your opinion in the comment section below!