FlurrySports projects three possible Minnesota Vikings draft targets with the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, including Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman.
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It was a disappointing season, to say the least, for the Minnesota Vikings last year. After being hailed by some as a team that could make a run in the postseason, Minnesota failed to make the playoffs. JJ McCarthy’s debut season, much like the Vikings’ season, was not what fans had hoped for, while Justin Jefferson struggled to make a strong impact on the season. Now, it feels like the Vikings are in some sort of purgatory. On paper, Minnesota has a decent roster, but can they carry that hype onto the field?
Coming into the 2026 NFL Draft, Minnesota does have several holes that they need to fill to really become a contender. The most glaring need is at the running back position, but being out of range of Jeremiyah Love, Minnesota will elect to pick up the position in a later round. Both sides of the line are also in play, with the interior defensive line being the bigger need of the two. Finally, we don’t know how much longer Harrison Smith will play. With that in mind, these are three Minnesota Vikings draft targets with the 18th overall pick.
Want more draft analysis? Check out our final 2026 NFL Mock Draft here!
Minnesota Vikings Draft Targets at No. 18
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
As I stated at the end of the intro, bringing in the replacement to Harrison Smith is in the cards for the Vikings in this year’s draft. With Caleb Downs likely going way before Minnesota’s pick, the next best safety on the board comes in the form of Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman. Thieneman has a wonderful mix of size and athleticism that allows him to fly around the field and make plays. Thieneman is an extremely intelligent player who excels at playing deep zone coverage. While playing deep, his ability to fly up to the mid-level is perfect for what Minnesota is looking for.
It is easy to compare Thieneman and Smith, considering they are both white, but their games are slightly different. Thieneman’s pass defense and straight line speed shy away from Smith’s ability to play the run. Either way, planning for the future in the defensive secondary in a division with Jordan Love, Caleb Williams and Jared Goff seems like a great investment.
Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
While at Ohio State, Kayden McDonald was an absolute game wrecker during his last college season. As an interior defensive lineman, McDonald racked up 65 tackles, with nine of them going for a loss, as well as three sacks. McDonald brings strength and quickness to the defensive line, as his quick and strong first punch is sure to cause disruption up the middle. With the strength of his lower body, McDonald will have the ability to push guards and centers into the offensive backfield.
This bodes well for Minnesota as they just lost Javon Hargrave to their rival, the Green Bay Packers. Much like Thieneman in the pass game, bringing in McDonald should help to neutralize Josh Jacobs, D’Andre Swift and Jahmyr Gibbs in the run game.
Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
Will Fries was a big signing for the Vikings last season, but his play on the offensive line lacked inspiration. Coming into his age-28 season, on top of Minnesota having a potential out in his contract after the coming season, the Vikings may look at drafting his replacement in 2026. Emmanuel Pregnon packs a great initial punch and a strong upper body. He is a player who loves contact and loves to bulldoze defensive linemen. Nobody loves a pancake more than Pregnon. His high motor and ability to push the line forward may be too much for the Vikings to pass up.
The issue with drafting Pregnon, though, is that he probably does not immediately start for Minnesota. That does not give the Vikings an immediate answer to climbing to the top of the mountain, but it does set them up for the future. Drafting Pregnon gives the Vikings the ability to keep McCarthy healthy in the future, while building up the blocking game for whoever runs the ball next season.
