Vikings Draft Options at Safety: Names to Know for 2026

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL draft is fast approaching, so it’s time to start looking at the Vikings’ draft options. We start with the most popular position to appear in mock drafts for the first round pick to head to Minnesota.

Early-Round Talent Could Shape Vikings’ Safety Plans

A lot of people are expecting the Vikings to take a safety in the first round – they may or may not. It’s certainly a position that the team needs to strengthen, so here I will look at the options available to Minnesota on each day of the draft, what they have to offer the Vikings, and whether I think they will be a good fit.

The Potential First Rounders

The top-rated safety in this year’s draft is Caleb Downs, and the Vikings aren’t likely to get him unless they trade up, which seems very unlikely. Dillon Thieneman has been the Vikings mock draft darling ever since impressing at the combine. He went from a potential Day 2 pick to possibly not even being on the board at 18, according to the draft experts.

Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman (DB52) takes part in drills during the NFL Scouting Combine, with Feb 27, 2026 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana highlighting his movement and coverage skills in front of scouts and evaluators ahead of the upcoming draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Thieneman’s athletic profile is certainly intriguing, but the sudden jump to the top of half of the first round makes me uneasy. He hasn’t shown enough during actual gameplay to go that high, which makes me shy away from him.

Emmanuel McNeill-Warren is another good player, but not at 18th overall. If the Vikings decide to trade down, he becomes a better option as a player who excels in the box and is a very good tackler. He would give the Vikings’ run defense a boost. He has done well in coverage at the collegiate level, but against weaker opposition.

There are doubts about how he will translate to the pro ranks. I personally feel like the Vikings need an athletic free safety, and those options aren’t there in the first round.

Day 2 Vikings Draft Options at Safety

There are plenty more Vikings draft options at safety on Day 2, and this is where I think the team should be looking. AJ Haulcy is a true deep safety with strong range, ball skills, and an aggressive playmaking mentality.

He can be the guy who covers the backend while Brian Flores instigated all the exotic stuff up front. Genesis Smith is another one who can do that role. He has intriguing size and athletic traits for a single-high role, but inconsistency with physicality and play strength limits his reliability, perhaps making him a fallback option later in the third round.

Two other options to play the deep role, with more limitations, are Kamari Ramsey and Zakee Wheatley. Ramsey provides versatility, able to play both safety spots and the slot. His lighter build (6’0, 202 lbs) and not elite athleticism cap his ceiling.

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive back Zakee Wheatley (DB54) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Wheatley is a long, springy athlete best suited for single-high roles. His slender build can be exposed in the box, but he offers strong range and coverage in space, which can be effective if utilized correctly.

The most versatile option is Jalon Kilgore, who profiles as one of the most unique and multifaceted defensive backs in the 2026 NFL Draft. At 6’1″, 219 pounds, with sprawling length and charged-up explosion, he’s taken reps at outside CB, nickel, box safety, and field safety.

Kilgore’s versatility is a testament to his intelligence, vision, and football IQ, and something coach Flores will likely admire. He feels like a Flores-type player and is definitely one to keep an eye on.

The Best of the Rest on Day 3

It would be a surprise if the Vikings left it until Day 3 to draft a safety, but if that scenario did play out, there are still some decent options. Bud Clark is a long, explosive playmaker with strong ball skills who can play the deep role well. However, his lack of strength in run defense is a problem if you want him to be an every-down player. Unsurprisingly, at this stage of the draft, some development would be needed.

Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders safety Cole Wisniewski (5) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The final couple of options I have for you are Michael Taaffe and Cole Wisniewski. Taaffe wins with intelligence and anticipation rather than physical traits. His size and athletic limitations mean he will need to earn his role through consistency and awareness.

He did that to great effect in college, and if he can repeat that in the pro ranks, he could turn into a late-round gem. Wisniewski projects as a box safety with good awareness and the ability to match up with tight ends. If the Vikings have already drafted a guy who can play deep, Wisniewski would be a good second option with a late-round pick.