The Minnesota Vikings appeared to be a far more settled team a year ago than they are right now. Those appearances were deceiving because the Vikings struggled to a 4-8 record before they closed the year with five consecutive wins that allowed them to escape the NFC North cellar.
At the time, the Vikings were prepared to turn their quarterback position over to second-year signal caller J.J. McCarthy. He had been the No. 10 pick the previous season and his rookie year had been ruined by injury, but the Vikings saw fit to make him their starting quarterback after letting Sam Darnold walk through free agency.
The Vikings’ had just five picks in last year’s draft, and the only selection to have an impact was first-round selection Donovan Jackson. The big offensive lineman became a key contributor at guard last season. They miscalculated with their four remaining selections that came in the third, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
The quarterback situation in 2026 is far from settled as McCarthy is going to have to beat out free-agent acquisition Kyler Murray if he wants to start. The two are likely to battle well into training camp before head coach Kevin O’Connell declares a winner and names the starter for the 2026 season.
The Vikings have multiple needs going into the 2026 Draft, but they don’t appear to be at the quarterback position. They have nine selections in this year’s draft, including the 18th pick in the first round and the 49th overall pick in the second round. Minnesota has two third-round selections, a fifth-round selection, a sixth-round selection and two picks in the seventh round.
Vikings go into NFL Draft without permanent general manager
The Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after the 2025 season came to a close. Adofo-Mensah had poor results with his draft choices and he allowed the Vikings to go into the season with an untested McCarthy as the quarterback. The team did not have an experienced backup quarterback, and the Vikings decided that Adof0-Mensah was not the man to lead them any longer.
The Vikings have appointed long-time executive Rob Brzezinski as the team’s interim general manager. It appears that O’Connell is going to have the biggest influence in the selections the Vikings make, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores is likely to have O’Connell’s ear.
The Vikings have needs on both sides of the ball, but unless they move up to a much higher position in the first round, it is unlikely they can select RB Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame. He is the best running back in the Draft and he could get selected inside the top five.
Thieneman would be an outstanding choice at No. 18
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.
If Smith decides to play, Thieneman would be lined up next to a “coach on the field” and that will only accelerate his development. If Smith heads off into retirement, there is a very good chance that Thieneman will make a very quick adjustment to the NFL.
Kenyon Sadiq would also be a solid choice
If the Vikings decide to go with an offensive player, tight end Kenyon Sadiq would be a bold selection. While the Vikings have T.J. Hockenson at the position, Sadiq is a more athletic player.
Sadiq has the build of a tight end at 6-3 and 243 pounds, but he runs a 4.40 in the 40 and is as athletic as some of the top receivers. Sadiq caught 51 passes for 560 yards and 8 touchdowns last year. Like Thieneman, he was one of the key contributors for the Oregon Ducks.
He has a brilliant 43-inch vertical jump, and that gives him a huge advantage when he faces tight coverage from a defensive back.
Sadiq has the speed to run up the seam and make big plays on the go route and he knows what he is doing on short and intermediate passes. He is a willing and excellent run blocker.
If the Vikings move up in the 2026 Draft, selecting Sadiq would be a bold move.
The Minnesota Vikings appeared to be a far more settled team a year ago than they are right now. Those appearances were deceiving because the Vikings struggled to a 4-8 record before they closed the year with five consecutive wins that allowed them to escape the NFC North cellar.