Draft Night Surprise: Vikings Pass on Thieneman Amid Safety Hype
Mock drafts heavily linked Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman to the Vikings at No. 18, but Minnesota shocked many by selecting Florida DT Caleb Banks, causing Thieneman to slip to 25 and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to still be available. Analysts say safeties are often overvalued in early rounds compared to how teams actually value the position, prompting the Vikings to address safety later in the draft while prioritizing defensive tackle at 18. This pattern echoes past drafts where consensus safety hype didn’t translate into first-round picks, as teams pursue production and traits at other positions.
