The NFL Draft is just a week away, and two of the most prominent analysts couldn’t disagree more on the route the Minnesota Vikings should take.
With holes all over the roster, Minnesota could go any number of ways with their first-round pick. But it seems that Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay see this draft going very differently for the Vikings.
In Kiper’s latest and final mock draft, he continued the Dillon Thieneman trend, having the Vikings taking the Oregon safety at No. 18 overall.
“Along with many evaluators, I’ve been projecting Thieneman to Minnesota since before the combine,” wrote Kiper. “There’s still uncertainty around Harrison Smith’s status, but it’s sort of irrelevant because the Vikings have to start planning for the future at safety whether or not Smith is back there in 2026. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores would have Thieneman lined up all over the place to create havoc. He can create turnovers (eight career interceptions), too.”
Meanwhile, McShay turned to the offensive side of the ball with a surprising selection of Denzel Boston in his latest mock draft for The Ringer.
“The Vikings had real issues catching the football last season, and the situation hasn’t exactly improved. With Jalen Nailor now in Las Vegas, they’re currently planning to give Tai Felton and his three rookie receptions a starting role. That’s a problem,” wrote McShay.
“It really comes down to stylistic preference, and for Minnesota, the need is clear: a big, physical outside receiver to complement Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.”
Mel Kiper and Todd McShay Go Opposite Direction in Latest Mocks
Kiper’s mock draft isn’t anything revolutionary, and sends Thieneman to the Vikings like many other analysts have done over the last month. McShay, on the other hand, gives Minnesota their receiver of the future in Washington’s Denzel Boston in quite the stunning projection.
Thieneman would potentially be a seamless replacement for Harrison Smith should he retire. Defensive Brian Flores leans heavily on his safeties, and regardless of what Smith ends up doing, drafting a safety remains a highly likely scenario for Minnesota.
Wide receiver, while a need heading into the 2026 season and beyond, is a much less talked about option for Minnesota in the first round. McShay thinks that Boston could be the missing piece on an offense that will be revamped with the addition of Kyler Murray.
“Boston fits that mold perfectly,” he wrote. “His ball skills—including a 77 percent contested catch rate—stand out, and he brings the size and physicality this offense is missing. He also pairs well with a mobile quarterback thanks to his natural feel for uncovering downfield in scramble situations. As the new era begins with Kyler Murray under center, this would be a strong, clean fit.”
One Dream Scenario Could Still Be Possible for Minnesota
One unlikely scenario that can’t be ruled out completely is Ohio State star Caleb Downs falling to Minnesota at No. 18. He’s typically been mocked in the top-10, but safety still remains an undervalued position in the NFL.
NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently said he thinks there is a world where the safety falls that far. Minnesota tends to value safety much higher than the rest of the NFL, and should Downs slide on draft day, the Vikings could be the benefactor.
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