As the draft nears, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves in a unique spot.

After unceremoniously removing Kwesi Adofo-Mesah as general manager, the Vikings head into the draft process with long-time executive Rob Brzezinski at the helm, while head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores with a larger say in operations. Everyone is at a crossroads, because another underwhelming season could mean drastic changes in the front office and coaching staff.

Given all of Minnesota’s changes, fans don’t know what to expect from Brzezinski. So, let’s turn to the experts to see what they think the Vikings could do at pick 18.

Field Yates (ESPN+)
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

As Minnesota awaits word on whether safety Harrison Smith will return in 2026, coordinator Brian Flores’ defense is in need of a player who can offer similar ability to limit explosive plays downfield and cover well in the slot. Thieneman had six interceptions as a true freshman at Purdue, displaying exceptional ball skills, range, and overall play. He finished up his career with one season at Oregon and had a dominant combine, which included a 4.35-second 40-yard dash.

Yates expects the Vikings to improve the back end of their defense by adding Thieneman to a unit that definitely needs some help. Despite turning 37 recently, Harrison Smith still looked like Minnesota’s best safety.

If Smith doesn’t return, the Vikings could find themselves schematically restricted. Josh Metellus would likely have to play more as a traditional safety and less in the “Star” role, where he has really excelled, something we saw this season when Smith missed time due to injuries.

Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network)
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

I wanted to find a different option for the Vikings after slotting Thieneman here in my last mock draft, but every time I do this exercise, the Oregon safety ends up staring me in the face at Pick No. 18. He’s a perfect fit.

Yet another expert who has the Vikings taking the safety from Oregon. With Thieneman’s speed and athletic ability, he likely will be the future of the position for the defense, even if Smith returns for another season.

Ryan Wilson (CBS)
Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

Like Parker, Woods didn’t look the same in ’25 that he did in ’24. That said, he was still frequently dominant, and I could see him going off the board 5-10 picks earlier. The Vikings have serious needs along the defensive line, so they’ll happily take Woods here.

Now we have an expert with a differing opinion. Wilson thinks that the Vikings will look to add to their defensive line after releasing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in the offseason. Despite a downtick in his performance last season, Woods has all of the talent required to be a game-wrecking interior defensive tackle.

Nicholas Rome (Saturday Blitz)
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

The Vikings’ secondary is going to need an overhaul if Brian Flores’ unit is going to continue to be one of the league’s best. Harrison Smith is still on the free-agent market, and the Vikings need to find his replacement in the draft. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a bigger safety prospect who has a chance to be a really exciting player with his ability near the line of scrimmage and in deep safety roles.

Another expert who has the Vikings selecting a safety, but instead of Thieneman, Rome has them moving for Toledo’s McNeil-Warren. Rome also cites Minnesota’s need for a successor to Harrison Smith and overall need for talent on the back end of the defense. He opts for McNeil-Warren size and versatility, something the Vikings have looked for in all of their prospects.

Alec Lewis (The Athletic)
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Mock trade: Minnesota sends No. 18, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for No. 11

It’s worth noting that when colleague Mike Sando polled NFL executives on the top 10 picks, they all projected the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs to select him at either No. 8 or 9. Yet both of those teams recently paid premiums for free-agent running backs.

Love’s fit in Minnesota is tantalizing. He has home-run hitting ability, which is currently lacking from the Vikings’ running backs room (made up of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason). He is also an exceptional pass catcher. You can imagine how productive he’d be in a system that requires defenses to play vertically. The Vikings have eyed Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs in past years. Love can reach those levels.

Lewis has a shock move, with the Vikings moving up seven spots and making a play for Jeremiyah Love. Love was a favorite for the Vikings to select at one point, until they ended their season by winning their last six games and moving out of the top-five pick range.

Lewis believes Minnesota’s past interest in Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs – along with the recent investments that both the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs have made at the running back position – will allow Love to slip down the board and the Vikings to move up the board and take advantage of a rebuilding Miami Dolphins team to make a splash.