Story by
Mel Kiper Knows Just the Rookie for the Vikings
- Story by
- Mel Kiper Knows Just the Rookie for the Vikings
Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE
If you're a Minnesota Vikings mock draft savant — you probably are if you're reading stuff from this website — you probably know the name Dillon Thieneman by now, a safety from the University of Oregon . He's popping up all over the place for the Vikings in mock drafts, even drawing ESPN's Mel Kiper's attention this week.
Minnesota's safety need keeps pointing back to Thieneman.
Advertisement
While the team has a large draft mystery this time around, mainly because Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired at the end of January, Thieneman is rapidly becoming Minnesota's draft favorite, at least according to pundits and fans.
Thieneman Feels Like a Natural Match for Brian Flores
The Oregon Duck as Harrison Smith 's replacement is all the rage.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, left, speaks with defensive back Dillon Thieneman during an open practice at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon on Dec. 27, 2025, as the Ducks prepared for the Orange Bowl with a focus on defensive communication and adjustments ahead of a major postseason matchup. Mandatory Credit: Ben Lonergan-Imagn Images
Kiper: Thieneman to MIN at No. 18
The Vikings have a need at safety, especially if Smith retires, and Thieneman would emphatically fill that with his rookie profile.
That's why Kiper mock-drafted him to Minnesota on Tuesday and wrote , "We still don't know whether 37-year-old Harrison Smith will keep playing (and if so, whether he'll return to Minnesota as a free agent). Joshua Metellus, Jay Ward and Theo Jackson are the top safeties on the Vikings' depth chart. In a division with Caleb Williams , Jordan Love and Jared Goff , this has to be a priority at the draft regardless of whether Smith is back for Year 15."
Advertisement
"I had Thieneman to the Vikings in my last mock draft. He reminds me a lot of Smith in the way he reads the QB and reacts in a flash. I could see defensive coordinator Brian Flores getting creative with Thieneman, lining him up all over the formation and letting him use his great ball skills to pile up takeaways."
Since the NFL Combine three weeks ago, Thieneman to the Vikings has taken on a life of its own.
The Combine Breakout
In Indianapolis, Thieneman took the Combine by storm, banking 4.35 forty and jumping a 41-inch vertical. He also showed incredible — somewhat unexpected? — backpedal motion and fluidity. The event alone shoved him into Round 1 of mock drafts after previously living near the top-middle of Round 2.
Advertisement
Thieneman also has the size at 6'0″ and 200 pounds. His versatility is noteworthy, as he can play single-high coverage and play at the line of scrimmage when needed.
If Thieneman flies off the board in Round 1 to the Vikings or another team, he can thank his Combine showing.
Thieneman's Scouting Report
Thieneman played two seasons at Purdue — Minnesotans know him because of the Big Ten connection — before transferring to Oregon in 2025. He's played 39 games collegiately and banked 306 tackles, 8 interceptions, and 10 tackles for loss. His coverage skills are phenomenal for a rookie safety, and the elite speed will make defensive coordinators salivate. Thieneman shows hesitation at times, but that's not unusual for a rookie defender.
Advertisement
The Draft Buzz on Thieneman : "Thieneman is the kind of safety who walks into a defensive meeting room on Day One and immediately earns his keep. The coverage grades speak loudly, but what separates him is the totality of the package."
"This is a player who can align in a two-high shell pre-snap, rotate down to a robber look post-snap, and then fill an alley against the run with real physicality, all within the same drive. The modern NFL is demanding exactly this type of defensive back, and Thieneman's college production in multiple schemes and alignments suggests his transition should be smoother than most."
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman meets with reporters during Media Day at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on July 28, 2025, discussing his role in the secondary and expectations for the upcoming season as Oregon prepared for another high-profile campaign in front of local and national media. Mandatory Credit: Ben Lonergan-Imagn Images
If Minnesota brings Kiper's mock to life, Thieneman would almost certainly grab Theo Jackson or Jay Ward's job immediately, assuming Smith returns for one more year .
Advertisement
TBD added, "His best fit is in a defense that values pre-snap disguise and post-snap versatility in the secondary. Defensive coordinators who run multiple coverage structures and ask their safeties to communicate and adjust on the fly will love what Thieneman brings to the table."
"His coverage instincts and diagnostic ability make him a natural fit in split-safety looks, but his tackling and run support are good enough that he won't be a liability when asked to come down into the box."
The Other Round 1 Draft Possibilities
Of course, the Vikings aren't guaranteed to pick Thieneman if he's there at No. 18. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski and Minnesota's coaching staff may have a different take early in the draft. In all likelihood, if Minnesota does not trade down, the Vikings' pick in Round 1 will be one of these men:
Advertisement
-
C.J. Allen(LB) — Georgia
-
Caleb Banks(DT) — Florida
-
Mansoor Delane(CB) — LSU
-
Keldric Faulk(EDGE) — Auburn
-
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren— Toledo
-
Makai Lemon(WR) — USC
-
Akheem Mesidor (EDGE) — Miami (FL)
-
Jermod McCoy(CB) — Tennessee
-
Kayden McDonald(DT) — Ohio State
-
Kenyon Sadiq(TE) — Oregon
-
Dillon Thieneman(S) — Oregon
-
Avieon Terrell(CB) — Clemson
-
Jordyn Tyson(WR) — Arizona State
-
Peter Woods(DT) — Clemson
Outside linebacker isn't a pressing roster need, but it could move up the list if Minnesota trades Jonathan Greenard , who lives hot and heavy in the rumor mill.
Purdue defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) celebrates with teammates Smiley Bradford (6) and Jamarrion Harkless (97) after a tackle against Penn State at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana on Nov. 16, 2024, reacting to a key defensive stop during a physical Big Ten matchup. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
On Thieneman, the best stylistic comparison currently in the pros may be Atlanta Falcons safety Jesse Bates III, a three-time All-Pro.
Thieneman will turn 22 in August.
