The Minnesota Vikings will have the 18th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Minnesota finished with a 9-8 record last season and they missed the playoffs. The Vikings will have some key decisions to make in the draft. Minnesota will not have to worry about finding another quarterback after they signed Kyler Murray to a one-year deal.
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Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) eats a steak after the game against the Detroit Lions while being interviewed by Dianna Russini at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
It is very possible that the Vikings are going to have to find a player to replace safety Harrison Smith and after they decided to release him this offseason. Smith has been with Minnesota since 2012. It will be interesting to see if they can find a safety in the 2026 NFL Draft or not.
Minnesota Vikings Find Harrison Smith Replacement In 2026 NFL Mock Draft
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Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman, right, brings down Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Jordan Plocher of profootballfocus.com created his latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft. With the Vikings having the 18th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, Plocher has them selecting safety Dillon Thieneman from the Oregon Ducks. He said, “The Vikings posted a team 56.9 PFF coverage grade in 2025, hence their selection here of a rangy, deep safety to help improve their secondary. Thieneman ran a blistering fast 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, building on his 1.52-second 10-yard split. He has the speed and range to play free safety in one-high shells, and with his ability to cover ground quickly moving forward and backward, he will give Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores even more flexibility to get creative with blitzes and coverages.
In 2025, Thieneman lined up in the box on 434 snaps, in the slot on 118 snaps and at free safety on 247 snaps. He managed an elite 91.1 PFF coverage grade, so he should be able to help the Vikings’ coverage in multiple ways.”
Thieneman is 6’0″ and weighs 205 lbs. He recorded 92 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, and five pass deflections last season. Thieneman is the second-best safety in the 2026 NFL Draft class behind Caleb Downs of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Thieneman and the Vikings would be a good match. This would be a good Smith replacement. If they decide not to draft a safety, it will be interesting to see what Minnesota will decide to draft instead.
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