Vikings Draft Options at Safety: Names to Know for 2026

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The 2026 NFL draft is fast approaching, so it’s time to start looking at the Vikings’ draft options. We start with the most popular position to appear in mock drafts for the first round pick to head to Minnesota.

Early-Round Talent Could Shape Vikings’ Safety Plans A lot of people are expecting the Vikings to take a safety in the first round – they may or may not. It’s certainly a position that the team needs to strengthen, so here I will look at the options available to Minnesota on each day of the draft, what they have to offer the Vikings, and whether I think they will be a good fit. The Potential First Rounders The top-rated safety in this year’s draft is Caleb Downs, and the Vikings aren’t likely to get him unless they trade up, which seems very unlikely.

Dillon Thieneman has been the Vikings mock draft darling ever since impressing at the combine. He went from a potential Day 2 pick to possibly not even being on the board at 18, according to the draft experts. Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman (DB52) takes part in drills during the NFL Scouting Combine, with Feb 27, 2026 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana highlighting his movement and coverage skills in front of scouts and evaluators ahead of the upcoming draft.

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Thieneman’s athletic profile is certainly intriguing, but the sudden jump to the top of half of the first round makes me uneasy. He hasn’t shown enough during actual gameplay to go that high, which makes me shy away from him. Emmanuel McNeill-Warren is another good player, but not at 18th overall.