Emily Leiker of the Minnesota Star Tribune did some legwork Sunday night to identify top prospects at four different positions of interest for the franchise: safety, cornerback, wide receiver and running back.
Leiker prefaced her assessments by reminding it's not meant to be a complete reflection of where the team may add competition; it's more so an introduction of players that could be enticing in early rounds.
At safety, Leiker identified Oregon's Dillon Thieneman, as well as Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Arizona's Genesis Smith. Each of the options has a documented history of moving around defensive formations, which checks a crucial box in Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores' scheme: versatility. Also of note, Leiker analogized Smith, who was dubbed the "Chief Energy Officer" of the Wildcats defense, to former Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (now with the Colts) — we probably don't need to explain that one. And she said McNeil-Warren's stature (6-foot-3 ½) would give Minnesota something it doesn't quite have right now in that room, especially if 37-year-old Harrison Smith does not return for a 15th season.
Rounding out the defensive secondary, Leiker spotlighted a couple corners who've frequently appeared as candidates to be chosen 18th by the Vikings in mock drafts around the web: Clemson's Avieon Terrell and South Carolina's Brandon Cisse. She also mentioned Indiana National Champion CB D'Angelo Ponds.
Ponds is an interesting prospect because he's on the smaller side at 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, but his tape is chock-full of pass breakups and an unmistakable fearlessness against competition looking down at him. It's impossible not to see his profile and be reminded of Vikings starting corner Isaiah Rodgers.
You can check out Leiker's entire article here. Among others, she has insights on a runner who attended the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minnesota, and another who is just 5-foot-6 but super-efficient.