{"id":847842,"date":"2026-04-01T20:24:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T20:24:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/847842\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T20:24:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T20:24:31","slug":"adding-another-offensive-weapon-at-pick-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/847842\/","title":{"rendered":"Adding Another Offensive Weapon at Pick 18"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s April, which means it’s NFL draft month. In just over three weeks, we’re going to finally find out who the Vikings are taking with the 18th overall pick (or a later pick after trading back). Will it be Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, like virtually every national mock draft<\/a> believes? Or will it be someone else?<\/p>\n

Today, we’re bringing you a three-round mock draft in which the Vikings take a different Oregon player at 18. Let’s dive into it.<\/p>\n

Round 1, Pick 18: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon\"Kenyon<\/p>\n

Kenyon Sadiq | Ben Lonergan\/The Register-Guard \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

I’m fascinated by the idea of the Vikings taking Sadiq if he’s still on the board at 18. He’s a unique weapon who \u2014 along with a wide receiver picked in the later rounds \u2014 could really round out Minnesota’s group of pass-catchers nicely. Sadiq is a 6’3″, 241-pound tight end who ran a 4.39 40 at the combine and jumped out of the gym with a 43.5-inch vert. He’s coming off a junior season in which he caught 51 passes for 560 yards and 8 touchdowns.<\/p>\n

What’s exciting about Sadiq is his versatility. His athleticism makes him a matchup problem in the passing game. And even though he’s undersized as a traditional tight end, he’s a very capable run blocker<\/a>. Sadiq can line up next to a tackle, in the slot, or even in the backfield. He’s dangerous on downfield routes and with the ball on his hands on screens, although he does need to clean up his drop rate. There’s really no shortage to the ways in which Kevin O’Connell and Wes Phillips and Frank Smith could use him in their offense.<\/p>\n

Dante Moore to Kenyon Sadiq for a 30-yard @oregonfootball<\/a> TD \ud83e\udd86 pic.twitter.com\/x5w3g0Is6I<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Tight end isn’t a true need for the Vikings, who have T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver on their roster. But Hockenson’s reworked contract voided the 2027 season on his deal, meaning he’s set to be a free agent next year. This would be a “best player available” approach from the Vikings, who would be able to mix in all three of their tight ends in 2026.<\/p>\n

Round 2, Pick 49: Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona\"Treydan<\/p>\n

Treydan Stukes | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

If the Vikings don’t take a safety in the first round, Stukes is one of my favorite targets at that position in round two. He’s listed as a cornerback in some spots, but he’s really a versatile defensive back who projects as either a slot corner or strong safety in the NFL. Stukes is an older prospect, having spent six years at Arizona, where he went from walk-on to team captain and star. Last season, he bounced back from a 2024 ACL tear and recorded four interceptions with a 90.4 PFF coverage grade.<\/p>\n

There’s a lot to like about Stukes’ upside in the NFL. He’s a big-time athlete at 6’1″, 190, with 4.33 speed and fluid movement ability in coverage. He’s got excellent ball skills, as evidenced by his highlight-reel interception against Arizona State last fall. And he’s plenty willing to play downhill as a run defender, with 12 career tackles for loss to his name. Stukes feels like a dream fit for Brian Flores and new DBs coach Gerald Alexander, who met with him last week<\/a> before Arizona’s pro day. Getting him at 82 doesn’t seem realistic at this point.<\/p>\n

I am in on Treydan Stukes. IDC if he’s a nickel or Safety pic.twitter.com\/erstuPnnbO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 14, 2026<\/a>Round 3, Pick 82: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State\"Sam<\/p>\n

Sam Hecht | Scott Sewell-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Listening to O’Connell at the NFL’s annual meeting in Arizona this week, it sure sounds like the Vikings want to draft a center who can compete with Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens for the one vacant starting spot on their offensive line. The third round looks like the sweet spot for centers in this year’s draft, with a number of starting-caliber players projected to come off the board in that range. That includes Auburn’s Connor Lew, Iowa’s Logan Jones, Florida’s Jake Slaughter, and Kansas State’s Sam Hecht, who is our pick in this mock.<\/p>\n

Hecht isn’t the biggest center ever (6’4″, 303), but he’s a very good athlete who would be a nice fit for the Vikings’ zone runs. He’s also a technician of a pass protector who wasn’t charged with a single sack allowed over two years as the Wildcats’ starting center. Hecht has great footwork and plenty of power to anchor against bigger defensive tackles. He wasn’t penalized once in his senior season. I think he’d probably beat out Brandel and start right away in Minnesota.<\/p>\n

Sam Hecht (#75) \ud83d\udcc8\ud83d\udcc8 pic.twitter.com\/17Lnir0LDs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) February 3, 2026<\/a>Round 3, Pick 97: Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati\"Dontay<\/p>\n

Dontay Corleone | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The two best nicknames in this entire draft class belong to defensive tackles who could be taken on Day 2. There’s Domonique “Big Citrus” Orange from Iowa State, and Dontay “The Godfather” Corleone from Cincinnati. In addition to their nicknames, both are also highly intriguing prospects, with Orange projected to be the earlier pick of the two.<\/p>\n

Corleone is a massive DT (6’1″, 335) with some real explosiveness and power to his game. He’s a weapon of a run defender with his ability to take on blockers and use his leverage to occupy gaps. He’s also capable of pushing the pocket with his bull rush. He’s an interesting prospect evaluation because after putting up 9.5 sacks, 17 total TFL, and 60 QB pressures in his first three seasons, he had just 8 pressures with no sacks or TFL last season, also missing some time with an ankle injury.<\/p>\n

If the Vikings feel OK about Corleone’s medicals (he dealt with blood clots earlier in his career), The Godfather could be a tempting bounce-back pick at the end of the third round. The Vikings could use someone with his run-stuffing ability in the middle of their defensive line.<\/p>\n

Cincinnati DT Dontay Corleone: as advertised in run defense drills at @ShrineBowl<\/a> <\/p>\n

Defeated this rep immediately pic.twitter.com\/nrWKFfdsvS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 23, 2026<\/a>