Everyone is assuming it's a safety, but will you be shocked if it is not?
The world is assuming that either Oregon's Dillon Thieneman or Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren will be the Vikings' first-round pick. The potential loss of safety Harrison Smith has spurred speculation, and whether Smith returns or not, the team will have to look to the future at safety.
The entire mock draft community has settled on Thieneman at this point.
Chad Reuter of NFL.com just released his seven-round mock draft and pivoted away from safety for Minnesota.
18. Minnesota Vikings: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
The Vikings come away from this pick hoping the speedy, fiery Hood ends their interminable search for a shutdown outside corner. They have a long-term need at the position, too, with Isaiah Rodgers set to enter free agency after 2026 and Byron Murphy due a huge base salary ($17.4 million, per Over The Cap) in 2027.
The thought process is valid with the Vikings needing a permanent replacement for outside corner and helping Brian Flores' defensive scheme. The blitz packages are more effective with better coverage downfield.
49. Minnesota Vikings: S Treydan Stukes, Arizona
The Vikings get their safety with their second-round pick. The secondary is filled with these two selections, and Stukes is a great fit for Flores and Minnesota. Even if Smith returns, it won't be a first-round pick that is a year away. The second-round pick feels better than a top-20 pick to wait a year for.
82. Minnesota Vikings: WR Deion Burks, Oklahoma
Burks finished with the third-highest athleticism score for all wide receivers, according to Next Gen Stats.
Lance Zierlein describes the slot receiver from Oklahoma.
"Fifth-year slot receiver who is savvy against zone coverage and crafty after making a catch. Burks does a good job of utilizing his straight-line speed when the ball is in his hands. He struggles to win on vertical routes, though. He creates windows underneath by crisply breaking off short routes. He’s a compact, short-armed target who secures catches through contact. However, his production left something to be desired during his time at Purdue and Oklahoma. Comebacks and curls are often swallowed. Coaching and route work could lead to improvement in those areas. Burks lacks standout measurables, but better quarterback play could unlock a more productive player."
163. Minnesota Vikings: DT Rene Konga, Louisville
The Vikings have a need at DT with the departures of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
Zierlein describes Kouga in detail:
"Slightly undersized but wearing good muscle mass, Konga is built for life as a one-gapping 3-technique. His testing numbers were eye-popping, but his career production does not align with the athletic traits. He has good first-step quickness to challenge gaps but is unable to withstand a stout drive-blocker or double-team looks. A right-handed club is his go-to rush move but it feels like there is more meat on the bone as a pass rusher for a team willing to make development a priority. Konga might need to prove himself as a situational rusher to land a spot on an NFL roster."