The NFL Scouting Combine began this week. Top prospects for April's draft headed to Indianapolis, hoping to elevate their draft stock. A blazing fast 40-yard dash, insane vertical jump, or quick three-cone drill can help gain the attention of scouts, coaches, and general managers across the league.

On-field workouts begin Thursday with kickers, punters, defensive linemen, and linebackers. The remaining position groups will cycle through the weekend.

This offseason is critical for the Minnesota Vikings, who have Rob Brzezinski, executive vice president of football operations, serving as acting general manager through the draft. They will have eight draft picks, allowing them to infuse the roster with youth.

Who should Vikings fans keep an eye on this weekend? Minnesota has four of the top 97 picks, meaning they have a chance to bring in several difference makers after their first selection at No. 18.

Here are eight players to watch at the Scouting Combine this week.

Love would be the dream pick for Vikings fans. He is PFF's No. 6 overall prospect, finishing each of the last two seasons as the nation's 2nd-ranked running back. No matter who the Vikings have at quarterback in 2026, they need an improved, consistent running game. With Love, Kevin O’Connell would have every reason to feature the ultra-talented back. It would take a fortuitous fall for Love to get to pick 18, but he's slid down some mock drafts.

Terrell is a much more realistic option for the Vikings. He is PFF's No. 19 overall prospect, matching value with Minnesota's pick. Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy, Jr. were the only two Vikings cornerbacks to play over 200 defensive snaps in 2025. Terrell gives them a fluid boundary cornerback who can help Brian Flores open up the playbook in the secondary.

Thieneman is still currently PFF's No. 39 prospect. However, he is gaining steam as a candidate for Minnesota at pick 18. He was PFF's top-rated safety in the nation in 2025, and logged 118 snaps at slot, 434 in the box, and 247 as a deep safety.

The Vikings added veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave to their defensive line in 2025, but both are on the wrong side of 30 and coming off underwhelming seasons. Injuries shortened Banks' 2025 season, but he dominated Senior Bowl practices and is a behemoth (6'6", 330 pounds). He's PFF's No. 17 overall prospect but should be worth considering if he's still available when Minnesota is on the clock.

Another top performer at the Senior Bowl, Rodriguez has a lot to prove at the combine. He is the No. 93 overall player on PFF's Big Board despite ranking as the nation's top linebacker in 2025. However, he's ranked No. 57 on Mock Draft Database's Consensus Big Board as of February 23. He is a Day 2 option. The question is where he goes on Day 2.

There may not have been a better player on Day 3 of Senior Bowl practices than Louis. He is ranked No. 91 on PFF's Big Board and No. 78 on the Consensus Big Board. Louis is a Day 2 option who can play all over the field (105 defensive line snaps, 244 slot snaps, 319 box snaps).

Minnesota's safety room is uncertain, with Harrison Smith's future in doubt and Josh Metellus coming off an uneven 2025 season. Theo Jackson's play didn't do enough to cement a starting spot in 2026, either. Genesis Smith is PFF's No. 99-ranked player, but he had an 88.5 coverage grade in 2025.

Ryan Kelly was plagued by concussions in 2025, only making eight starts. The Vikings need a solution at center, and Slaughter could provide that on Day 2. He is PFF's No. 77-ranked prospect and was their 8th-best center in the nation last season. Slaughter had a run grade of 80.2 and a pass grade of 84.1 in his final year at Florida.