A Vikings Mock Goes the Full 9 Innings
A Vikings mock that involves journeying through all seven rounds is rare and ambitious (shout out to you, Mr. Bane).
On ESPN, Matt Miller used up every single Minnesota Vikings draft pick. Even more ambitious is that Miller journeyed through the entire draft, moving through all 257 slots ahead of the real thing. Check out the Miller assessment of how Minnesota could attack the draft.
A Vikings Mock: 9 New Players in MIN
To begin, make note of the nine players whom Miller identifies:
- No. 18: Dillon Thieneman, Safety Oregon
- No. 49: Jadarian Price, Running Back, Notre Dame
- No. 82: Connor Lew, Center, Auburn
- No. 97: Ted Hurst, Receiver, Georgia State
- No. 163: Scooby Williams, Linebacker, Texas A&M
- No. 196: John Michael Gyllenborg, Tight End, Wyoming
- No. 234: Red Murdock, Linebacker, Buffalo
- No. 235: Andre Fuller, Corner, Toledo
- No. 244: Logan Taylor, Offensive Tackle, Boston College
Opting for Thieneman at the top of the draft is beginning to feel automatic. He offers a nice mix of value at the draft slot while also being someone to fill a roster hole. Partner his age with playing for a major college program and it’s easy to see the fit.
Miller offers his two cents on the move, writing, “Having Thieneman replace Harrison Smith is one of the cleanest and easiest picks to predict in this draft. Thieneman has been a playmaker in both of his college stops, notching eight career interceptions between Purdue and Oregon while never allowing more than 11 receptions in a single season. Minnesota could slide Thieneman into the starting split safety spot in Brian Flores’ defense and watch him flourish.”
Indeed, there’s now a well-worn path between Minnesota and Thieneman, if only in within the online analysis. Going in a different direction from the athletic Duck would hit as a minor surprise.
What would be similarly surprising is if the next trio of selections all went toward offense.
None of Price, Lew, or Hurst are bad picks in isolation. Each fills a roster need while offering upside. Price, in particular, appears to be someone who could begin in a modest spot (RB3 behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason) before earning a larger portion the pie. Plus, Lew would be the favorite to be the Week 1 starter, someone whom Miller refers to as “a clear-cut starter when healthy.”
Taken together, the emphasis on Kevin O’Connell’s side of the ball would be surprising.
After the initial four selections, there’s a large gap. A lot of talent will get scooped up between No. 97 and No. 163. During that time, the Vikings’ front office won’t be entirely inactive. Their task will involve watching who gets drafted and who remains available. If, for instance, a tremendous talent is tumbling, then trading to scoop up a coveted talent can have merit.
If not, then the pick at the end of the 3rd will be the final one until the 5th. Opting for Day 3 linebackers, a corner, tight end, and offensive tackle all make sense. Maybe a couple of these players get polished up, outshining their draft slots in the process. At the very least, drafting special teams helpers is a must.
The Vikings have needs scattered across the roster. The Vikings mock from Matt Miller addresses many of them, but the heavy emphasis on offense early doesn’t appear like the likeliest outcome. Using the 2nd and/or one of those 3rd-Round selections to help Brian Flores would be wise.
Somebody like Jacob Rodriguez, the linebacker from Texas Tech with a next-level moustache, looks like a nice option (even though many people have opinions).
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 23rd until Saturday, April 25th. Every team feels urgency to do well, but the Vikings are facing some intense pressure given the recent draft foibles. In an ideal, the Vikings can turn their draft picks into two or three excellent starters alongside two or three strong contributors. Doing do would represent a major win.
