Purple Insider - a Minnesota Vikings and NFL podcast Why is everyone mocking Dillon Thieneman to the Vikings? (Part 1)
Mar 27, 2026
A deep dive into why many mock drafts peg Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman to Minnesota. Discussion covers his tape, versatility, combine testing, and whether safety is worth an 18th pick. Alternatives like trading down, cornerback, edge, and DT options are debated. The show weighs roster timelines, free-agent safety solutions, and the value of accumulating draft capital.
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Why So Many Mocks Target Dillon Thieneman
- Mock drafters are heavily converging on Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman as the pick for the Vikings at 18 overall.
- Matthew Coller lists many major analysts (Daniel Jeremiah, Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, PFF, CBS) all projecting the same safety, suggesting a follow-the-leader pattern.
Thieneman Fits Brian Flores Defense
- Thieneman checks many boxes: versatility (nickel, box, free), production (eight interceptions), high PFF grades, and strong combine metrics.
- Coller argues those traits make him an easy fit in Brian Flores' defense as a playmaking, multi-role safety.
Positional Value Problems With Drafting A Safety
- Safety has uneven positional value: a few elite safeties are franchise-level, a second tier (Derwin James, Kyle Hamilton) justifies a first-rounder, but many quality safeties are replaceable.
- Coller warns most safeties comparable to Xavier McKinney can be acquired in free agency for reasonable money.