What did the Vikings tell us in the NFL Draft about Harrison Smith?

We have yet to get an official statement from Harrison Smith on his decision to return to the Minnesota Vikings for a 15th season in 2026. That has left some fans wondering if the team gave clues to his future with their draft picks.

After the Combine, most mock drafts had the Vikings drafting Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the 18th overall pick. He was seen as a perfect replacement for Smith because of his versatility, able to line up all over the field to impact the game.

Instead, Minnesota picked Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks at 18 while Thieneman was still on the board. Then, the Vikings took Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday in the second round when Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was surprisingly still on the board at pick 51.

Dreams of the Vikings getting LSU safety A.J. Haulcy died when the Colts drafted him at pick 78, four spots ahead of Minnesota. The Vikings ended up taking Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange.

It wasn't until pick 98, their fifth selection in the draft, that Minnesota finally addressed safety. The Vikings selected Miami safety Jakobe Thomas with the pick, acquired earlier in the night via the Jonathan Greenard trade.

Does this mean that Smith is coming back? Kevin O'Connell told reporters last week that Smith's future wouldn't impact the team's draft strategy.

But if he weren't to return, Minnesota's top safeties include Jackson, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward. Last year, Theo Jackson started eight games, appearing in 14, before losing playing time near the end of the season to Ward.