Despite draft divides, Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman ignites debate as a potential cornerstone for the Vikings' defensive future.
The NFL draft is one of the biggest spectacles in all of sports. Perhaps more entertaining is the heated debate that leads up to the draft.
Draft experts have strong opinions on the players that they have scouted yet many of those opinions vary strongly from others' opinions. One player whose inclusion in mid-first round projection for the Minnesota Vikings has drawn the ire of some experts is Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. On one hand, Thieneman is simply a foregone conclusion to see his name called in the first round. Some experts don't think he should be drafted until the middle of the second round.
One NFL writer who believes Thieneman is a good pick for the Vikings at No. 18 is Clutch Points' Steve Silverman. He wrote the following on why the Oregon safety could make sense in the first round.
"The selection of Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman would be a bold choice for the Vikings and one that would help Flores deliver an excellent defense in 2026. Flores has had fantastic results for the Vikings in his three seasons with the Vikings, but the secondary needs something of an upgrade. Safety Harrison Smith has been the anchor of the secondary for several year, but he may have played his last game for the Vikings.
He has not officially retired at this point, but the Vikings have processed him as a post-June 1 release for cap purposes. The Vikings would love to keep him, but they want to be prepared just in case he decides to call it a career.
Thieneman is a 6-0, 203-pound safety with excellent range. He can go sideline to sideline to make plays and does an outstanding job of reading the quarterback. Thieneman has very good hands for his position and he came up with eight interceptions during his college career with the Ducks. He is a physical player and will take the proper angle to the ball carrier."
Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks (30) is shoved out of bounds by Minnesota Vikings safety Jay Ward (24) and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) during the second quarter of their game. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesWhether or not the selection of Thieneman at No. 18 is bold is really up to the beholder. The Vikings have a clear need at safety, and Thieneman has an athleticism that for many is unmatched at the safety position.
The question over Thieneman is how his athleticism will translate to the field, by those who do not think it has translated to the field in college. Minnesota will indicate either way what they think about Thieneman if he is available to draft with the No. 18 pick.