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Vikings Settle for iDL in Trusted Mock Draft; Talented Ducks Now Out of Reach
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- Vikings Settle for iDL in Trusted Mock Draft; Talented Ducks Now Out of Reach
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
While we're still more than a month away from the Minnesota Vikings being on the clock with the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft , the offseason is always prospect season.
Since the NFL Combine just wrapped up over the weeked in Indianapolis , it's the perfect time to take note on what draft experts are putting out there.
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And when it comes to the Vikings, especially, there's one guy you should trust above others, and that's ESPN's Jordan Reid , who cut his media teeth locally, before being hired at the Draft Network in 2019.
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But more importantly, he grew up and remains a MN Vikings fan, and thus he's always extra plugged-in to what his favorite NFL team might have planned.
Talented Oregon Ducks out of NFL Draft range for MN Vikings?
Leading up to the combine, there were quality mock drafts out there that had a couple of talented Oregon Ducks falling to No. 18 — (TE) Kenyon Sadiq and (S) Dillon Thieneman . Unfortunately for Minnesota (if they were indeed targeting either player), Reid doesn't see either making it to Minnesota at pick 18.
13. Los Angeles Rams – Kenyon Sadiq – TE (Oregon)
Sadiq serves as an extra receiver and would give the Rams a versatile game breaker they don't have at the position. And while he is known for his receiving (51 receptions for eight touchdowns last season), Sadiq is also a physical run blocker.
Kenyon Sadiq had one of the best days ever by a TE at the Combine:
40-Yard Dash: 4.39 (best ever by a TE)
Vertical Jump: 43.5'' (second-best ever by a TE)
Broad Jump: 11'1'' (third-best ever by a TE) @Accenture | @oregonfootball pic.twitter.com/fxvABmsGrd— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2026
16. Dallas Cowboys (via trade) – Dillon Thieneman – S (Oregon)
They started to remake their secondary last season, and adding Thieneman, an active defender with positional and scheme versatility, would continue that process. Dallas specializes in two-high safety looks, and Thieneman is an excellent processor who can close on plays in a hurry. Dallas forced only 12 turnovers in 2025, and Thieneman has the ability to be a ball hawk while bringing physicality when stepping down against the run.
4.35 official for @DillonThieneman 🔥 #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/aldHNuBVVh
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) February 27, 2026
If the Minnesota Vikings can't figure out contract changes for tight end T.J. Hockenson , he could be a cap casualty . Safety Harrison Smith appeared to play his last game in Week 18 against the Green Bay Packers . Both spots are now needing an infusion of talent.
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Thus, the pre-combine steam connecting both Ducks to the Vikings made sense. Sadiq, despite being the top tight end in the class, was often seen into the 20's before leaving the board. Thieneman was right there as a fringe first-round pick. Suddenly, neither guy will be there, according to what Reid is hearing, out of Indy.
Minnesota Vikings settle on iDL
With both Sadiq and Thieneman out of the picture, Reid turns to another position of need for the MN Vikings. Javon Hargrave has already been informed he will be cut if not traded, and interior defensive line has long been a struggle. Enter Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks .
18. Minnesota Vikings – Caleb Banks – iDL (Florida)
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is expected to be released and Jonathan Allen could follow, leaving the Vikings extremely thin along the interior defensive line. At 6-foot-6, 327 pounds, Banks is a towering presence who would give Minnesota a key player inside. The Vikings have gravitated toward explosive athletes like Banks, who jumped 32 inches in the vertical and ran a 5.04-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Banks has an injury history, but he also has plenty of potential and is an ideal fit in coordinator Brian Flores ' defense.
Brian Flores is back and ready to have his defense wreak havoc yet again. Banks is an explosive and dynamic player, but the injury concerns are legitimate. He suffered a foot injury in camp, missed the first two games, then returned only to break it and play in just three games last season.
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In 2024 for the Gators , Banks had 21 total tackles across 12 games. He had a whopping seven for loss and 4.5 sacks. That sort of production up the middle is stuff that teams at the next level dream of.
More defense in round two for Vikings
Reid went the extra distance to include a second round projection in his post NFL Combine mock. With Banks ticketed to the Minnesota Vikings in the first round, Reid sticks with defense in the second round too. Eric Wilson is coming off an incredible year , but is a 32-year-old free agent. Jacob Rodriguez gives Flores another linebacker to fill the spot.
The Vikings have recently struggled to find starters outside Round 1. They need help at linebacker, as Eric Wilson is a free agent who turns 32 next season. Rodriguez would provide Minnesota a plug-and-play option at the second level of Brian Flores' defense.
Texas Tech brought in one of the best defenses money can buy last season and it landed them a spot in the College Football Playoff. Last season Rodriguez led the Big 12 with 63 solo tackles and 128 total. He has 11 tackles for losses and one sack.
Jacob Rodriguez is a SPECIAL LB prospect.
He had one of the best LB seasons in CFB history, won almost every award, and was in Heisman conversations.
– Elite run defender
– Elite coverage
– Unreal instincts
– Turnover magnet
Jacob should absolutely draw some 1st round hype pic.twitter.com/6h93cW5hbz— Cam (@42Cyc) February 19, 2026
Finishing 5th in Heisman voting despite being on defense is no small feat. He wrapped up both the Nagurski and Bednarik while earning All-American honors as well.
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Blake Cashman returns next year , and so too can Ivan Pace Jr . The latter regressed mightily though, and with Wilson as a question mark, Rodriguez would be a huge second round addition.
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