2 Players Emerge as Likely Vikings Picks
The NFL Draft is right around the corner and outside of the no-brainer, Fernando Mendoza to the Las Vegas Raiders with the top pick, the player selections are a complete mystery. Minnesota could pick various players.
Safety Dillon Thieneman has long been the mock draft darling for the Vikings. Seemingly, every draft analyst thinks he’s a perfect fit in the Twin Cities. It turns out a college teammate of his could also be on Minnesota’s wishlist.
Albert Breer, SI.com, reported this week that Thieneman and tight end Kenyon Sadiq could get their draft call from the Vikings.
He wrote, “What you need to know: The biggest need here is center, and my guess would be that’ll be taken care of with one of the three picks the Vikings hold on Day 2. The two names I’ve heard for Minnesota are both Ducks—Sadiq and his Oregon teammate Dillon Thieneman, who’d be a logical successor to Vikings legend Harrison Smith at safety.”
Oregon has emerged as one of the premier programs in college football under the watch of head coach Dan Lanning and it’s hardly surprising that they produce some elite talent entering the NFL.
Thieneman’s fit is obvious. He is viewed as a realistic replacement for Harrison Smith, who’s still weighing retirement at age 37. The safety position is vital in Brian Flores’ defensive system and the Vikings lack some high-end talent in the room.
Joshua Metellus returns as a defensive leader for the squad, but he’s at his best as a versatile chess piece in the formation rather than playing a specific safety spot. Behind him, the Vikings have last year’s rotational players, Jay Ward and Theo Jackson, under contract. Neither has established himself as a starter so far.
Thieneman has some spicy athletic tools. He turned heads with an electric draft combine performance, including a 4.35 40-yard dash. At Oregon, he was a defensive field general and was frequently deployed in the box. Prior to his one-year stop there, he played two campaigns at Purdue, where he played the role of a deep safety. Needless to say, he’s skilled at either job.
The safety is the overwhelming favorite to go 18th overall, at least according to mock drafts. Opponents of the idea often point to the positional value of a safety and the fact that solid players can generally be found on Day 2.
Another position that doesn’t have an exclusive set of proponents is tight end. Sadiq is the top-ranking tight end in this year’s class. Like his college teammate, he dominated at the scouting combine, running a 4.39 40-yard dash.
At tight end, T.J. Hockenson is entering the final year of his contract and he has yet to return to his pre-injury level. The position is essential in Kevin O’Connell’s scheme, as a tight end is a hybrid player between blocking and running routes as a pass-catcher. The NFL has also recently moved toward heavier personnel to adapt to faster, lighter defenses. Minnesota had some success last year with extra blockers.
Sadiq is not known for his blocking. Like many young tight ends, he has some work to do in that department. On the receiving end, however, he is a matchup nightmare and could be an intriguing vertical threat in the middle of the field. Last season, Sadiq caught 51 passes for 560 yards and 8 scores.
Breer added, “I’d also say defensive tackle is a possibility, though I’m not sure, depending on how Clemson’s Peter Woods is viewed, that the value matches up at 18 for Minnesota. Also, wide receiver, with Jordan Addison getting closer to the end of his rookie deal and Jalen Nailor gone, will likely be addressed at some point (Keenan McCardell’s presence at the big receiver pro days was noted by other teams).”
Wide receiver is more likely an option after the first round, while defensive tackle could be one in the top round. The Vikings parted ways with starters Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
At this point, Minnesota’s first pick is anyone’s guess, but the two Oregon Ducks are certainly intriguing options, as they fill needs while also possessing the talent to become difference-makers at the next level.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.