The 2026 NFL Draft will kick off on Thursday, April 23, and the Minnesota Vikings are set to get involved with the 18th-overall pick.
Of course, it’s also possible that the franchise could trade up or back, but the most likely option is Minnesota staying put and adding a prospect who could become an immediate contributor.
The question is, who will that prospect be? One name who has emerged as a popular prospect is safety Dillon Thieneman.
The safety’s connection to the Vikings is only getting stronger as the draft nears, and Thieneman‘s ranking in FanSided’s 2026 Big Board was a recent example of that. FanSided draft analyst Mike Luciano ranked the top-50 prospects in the class, and Thieneman was ranked No. 18.
18, of course, is where Minnesota picks, and while prospects don’t come off the board in the order of their ranking, this is a sign that Thieneman will likely be available for the Vikings, and that it would make sense for Minnesota to select him.
Minnesota Vikings could be in the perfect spot to draft FanSided’s 18th-ranked prospect, Dillon Thieneman
Thieneman, at 6-feet, 205 pounds, has the size, athleticism, and versatility that the league’s best defenses love to have at the safety position. Luciano detailed that in his evaluation, explaining why Thieneman is the 18th-ranked prospect.
"Thieneman is a true chameleon in the Oregon secondary, as the Purdue transfer linked up at nickel, linebacker, and deep safety. He will be a turnover generator in the pros, and his exceptional range paired with some bone-jarring tackles make him someone who will eventually be a respected leader on defense."
Minnesota adding a player like Thieneman is exactly what the Vikings defense needs, and he would be a phenomenal weapon for Brian Flores to work with.
The good news for Minnesota is that if the franchise wants him, it looks like the team will have the opportunity to get him.
In addition to his prospect ranking, Thieneman was recently projected to land with the Vikings in Mel Kiper’s final mock draft of the year.
So as the draft approaches, all signs point to Minnesota landing Dillon Thieneman, and he’ll be a selection who should have fans excited.
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