The Minnesota Vikings didn’t add a safety in NFL free agency despite the team parting with veteran Harrison Smith this offseason. But the Vikings could have their eyes set on the perfect safety prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.
That’s what ESPN’s Matt Miller suggested this week when he argued there’s a reason a lot of mock draft experts have projected Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman to Minnesota in the first round.
“Safety Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) is the most mocked player to Minnesota, and for good reason,” wrote Miller. “Word is the front office views him as a seamless replacement for veteran Harrison Smith.”
Both ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah rated Thieneman a top three safety in the 2026 NFL Draft class. Jeremiah ranked Thieneman the No. 17 overall prospect as well.
The Oregon product’s ability to play multiple spots in the secondary could make him a great option to replace Smith in Minnesota.
“Thieneman was a versatile chess piece in Oregon’s defense. He lined up in the box, in the deep half and over the slot,” wrote Jeremiah. “When he’s aligned in the back end, he can anticipate and range over the top to find and play the ball.
“Overall, Thieneman does a lot of different tasks at a very high level. His skill set is highly coveted around the NFL.”
The Vikings released Smith on March 11. The team parted ways with the veteran to save valuable salary cap space.
Vikings to Target Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman?
GettyThe Minnesota Vikings still have to replace veteran safety Harrison Smith this offseason.
As Miller indicated, the Vikings showing interest in Thieneman is not a big secret. A lot of NFL mock draft analysts have the Oregon safety going to Minnesota.
That’s what happens when a team loses an All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler at a position and doesn’t sign anyone new. In free agency, the Vikings inked safety Tavierre Thomas to a new deal, but they didn’t make any external safety signings.
Kiper didn’t rank the 2026 safety class as highly as some. Although the ESPN analyst ranked Thieneman the No. 2 safety, he placed the Oregon product at No. 22 on his big board.
Still, Thieneman is one of three safeties who could go in the top 20. Jeremiah had three safeties in the top 17 on his big board.
The Vikings could target any of those three safeties (Caleb Downs and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren the other two). But Thieneman’s style most closely matches what Smith provided in Minnesota.
“Savvy three-year starter with NFL size, speed and alignment versatility. Thieneman is an extension of his defensive coordinator, aligning and adjusting the secondary to motion and pre-snap shifts,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “He’s an instinctive, rangy safety who can roll down into big nickel or robber positioning.
“Thieneman checks important boxes for teams looking to add versatile playmakers in the secondary.”
Harrison Smith Remains Available in NFL Free Agency
GettyESPN’s Matt Miller reported the Minnesota Vikings see safety Dillon Thieneman as a “seamless replacement” for veteran Harrison Smith.
If all three of the top safeties land in the top 20 on the first night of the draft, then there’s no guarantee the Vikings get any of them. Unless the team trades up in the first round, Minnesota doesn’t pick until No. 18 overall.
So, it’s worth wondering what the Vikings will do if they don’t have the opportunity to get Thieneman or another elite safety prospect.
Could the Vikings circle back on a potential Smith reunion?
Considering the team released Smith, it’s not the most likely scenario. But it’s also not out of the question either. The team wasn’t necessarily displeased with the veteran safety’s play more than it needed the cap room.
Smith has only played for the Vikings in his 14-year NFL career. He averaged 84.3 tackles per season and posted 39 interceptions in 207 games.
Smith made six Pro Bowls from 2015-21. In 2017, he made first-team All-Pro.
Vikings Front Office Sees ‘Seamless Replacement’ for Harrison Smith in 2026 NFL Draft: Report