Mel Kiper Drops Final Mock Draft
Who the hell is Mel Kiper, and what does he have for the Vikings?
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 01: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks lines up for a play during the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on January 1, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The 2026 NFL Draft is just one week from tomorrow, and the mock drafts are going to be coming fast and furious over the course of the next eight days or so. One exception to that, apparently, is going to be one Mel Kiper.
. . dramatic pause .
. . draft expert.
Over at ESPN, he has dropped what will apparently be his final mock draft before the real thing hits on 23 April, so let’s see what he has projected for our Minnesota Vikings. In the first round, just like pretty much every other mock draft out there, he has the Vikings taking Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. Do you think he mentioned Harrison Smith in his justification?