NFL.com's Gennaro Fillice has released his pre-combine mock draft
The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this week in Indianapolis, and the NFL world will be in full evaluation mode while answering questions about their past season and future. The Minnesota Vikings face an interesting week without a permanent General Manager and predictable questions about the quarterback position and their star receiver, Justin Jefferson.
Gennaro Fillice of NFL.com has released his first mock draft ahead of the Combine and has an interesting selection in mind for the Vikings at pick 18.
Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon
"Last offseason, emerging star Camryn Bynum departed for a major payday in free agency. This offseason, franchise exemplar Harrison Smith appears to be headed for a well-earned retirement. Minnesota needs to replenish the safety position, and in Brian Flores’ controlled-chaos defense, versatility is a must. Insert Thieneman, who lined up all over the place at Purdue and Oregon, starting every game in three highly productive college seasons. This draft slot might seem a little high at the moment, but Thieneman has the raw athleticism to blow up the combine and fill up the bandwagon."
The consensus of most mock drafts for the Vikings is that the team will address the secondary, either with a cornerback or safety. Thieneman has been linked to Minnesota based on Smith's potential retirement and glove and hand fit.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com placed a 6.32 prospect grade on the safety, which translates to a plus starter.
Strengths
- Rare production (306 tackles, eight interceptions) in his three seasons.
- Size/athleticism combination to play all three safety positions.
- High coverage IQ with a strong feel for spacing and route structure.
- Range and ball-tracking ability to play over the top.
- Rarely takes eyes off the quarterback for extended periods of time.
- Persistent pursuit of the football keeps him near the action.
- Reads run and races downhill to squeeze work space for ball-carriers.
- Recognizes run track and bolts to the junction point ready to meet the runner.
Weaknesses
- Man coverage begins to show cracks as the route progresses.
- Average short space change-of-direction quickness.
- Step slow to adjust his pursuit angles to the perimeter.
- Needs better hand usage to stack and play off blocks.
- Full speed alley running leads to greater hit/miss variability.
- Average stopping power when bringing down bigger bodies.
"Savvy three-year starter with NFL size, speed and alignment versatility. Thieneman is an extension of his defensive coordinator, aligning and adjusting the secondary to motion and pre-snap shifts. He’s an instinctive, rangy safety who can roll down into big nickel or robber positioning. He has a good feel for play design and route concepts in zone but has average change of direction to match breaks in man. He’s not a big thumper near the line, but he rushes into the action with a relentless pursuit that should allow him to keep stacking high scores in the tackle columns. Thieneman checks important boxes for teams looking to add versatile playmakers in the secondary."
The former Purdue Boilermaker and Oregon Duck has been compared to Javon Holland at the safety position. The versatility of his game only gives Brian Flores another weapon to confuse quarterbacks and offenses. If Theineman hits, it could be a seamless transition from Smith to the future of the position with a single draft.