Vikings' perplexing draft choices fuel speculation. Did their safety selections signal a veteran star's unexpected return for another season?
The Minnesota Vikings made one of the more confounding decisions of the first round of the NFL draft. And while NFL teams opting to pass on Ohio State Buckeye talents in Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs probably caused more confusion, the Vikings' decision to draft Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks might require an explanation.
Banks was a good player in college. That said, there's a reason many were stunned that Minnesota chose the defensive tackle with the No. 18 pick. The confusion is two-fold: Why draft a defensive tackle with a safety like Oregon's Dillon Thieneman on the board, and why draft Banks given his injury history?
Some who follow the Vikings think it could indicate the team's plans at safety and that it could mean a key contributor will not officially retire after the 2025 season. Cole Smith of Vikings Wire discussed whether or not the draft choice means Harrison Smith will return at safety for the Vikings next year. Here's what Smith had to say.
"We have yet to get an official statement from Harrison Smith on his decision to return to the Minnesota Vikings for a 15th season in 2026. That has left some fans wondering if the team gave clues to his future with their draft picks.
After the Combine, most mock drafts had the Vikings drafting Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the 18th overall pick. He was seen as a perfect replacement for Smith because of his versatility, able to line up all over the field to impact the game.
Instead, Minnesota picked Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks at 18 while Thieneman was still on the board. Then, the Vikings took Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday in the second round when Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was surprisingly still on the board at pick 51."
James Madison Dukes wide receiver Nick Degennaro (11) scores a touchdown as Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) defends during the third quarter at Autzen Stadium. Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesIt's not only that the Vikings did not draft Thieneman that has caused a stir, though many viewed him as the potential choice given who was available at No. 18. It's that the team also chose not to draft safety in the second round either.
Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is mentioned by Smith as a surprising non-choice for the team, especially given that McNeil-Warren was discussed as an option at No. 18 in some mock drafts.
Whether or not the team made a mistake in waiting to draft safety until later will be a discussion point until we see what Jakobe Thomas and the Vikings' other picks can do on the field. Even so, it does raise reasonable doubt that Harrison Smith is truly done playing for Minnesota after the 2025 season.