That would be quite the curveball.
The draft process is fascinating. During the college season, players are already slotted in the rounds that pundits believe they will be selected in. Some players' stock drops with whispers from the media. Character concerns and off-field issues always pop up. Finally, players fall down the board or rise due to too much time and overthinking prospects.
Either way, the initial thoughts on the draft pale in comparison to the actual results and what teams plan to do in the draft. There are always a few players that last way too long on the board or are taken way too early, according to the overall consensus. Need an example? How about the sudden Ty Simpson love or how Carson Beck can reportedly be a first-rounder?
At this point in the draft process, it is important to keep your ears open right now. The day before the draft, many analysts are finishing mock drafts with the intel they have gathered from franchises and basically whatever information teams want out there.
That's where Daniel Jeremiah comes in. DJ is one of the most respected draft analysts in the business. As a former NFL executive, you can bet Jeremiah still has friends in the league who have good information for their buddy.
Jeremiah's final mock draft was released tonight, and he has the Minnesota Vikings zigging instead of zagging by passing on Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman for Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood.
"Minnesota adds a talented prospect to Brian Flores’ secondary. Hood is one of the most consistent players in the draft class."
Hood wouldn't be a poor selection. In fact, it is a big addition to the outside cornerback room. It is hard to imagine Minnesota having Thieneman in its sights and passing on him. He fits too well in the place of Harrison Smith and would be a Swiss Army Knife for Brian Flores and his defense.
Funny enough, Carolina selects Thieneman with the very next pick, and if this scenario plays out, the two players will forever be compared and linked for going back-to-back.
"I was told early in the offseason that the Panthers really wanted to add a premier pass rusher and a center fielder to the defense. They found their rusher in free agency with the Jaelan Phillips signing. Now they have the chance to land a center fielder in Thieneman, who was utilized in that role at Purdue earlier in his career."
The pick will be interesting for Minnesota. I have a hard time believing they will pass on Thieneman.