Kiper's latest (post FA) Rd 1
17. Detroit Lions
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Lions entered free agency with a Taylor Decker-sized hole at left tackle after the veteran asked for his release. They signed Larry Borom, but they shouldn't stop there. Proctor's play was a little uneven last season, but I think he can stick at left tackle in the NFL and could help keep Jared Goff upright as Detroit tries to get back to the playoffs. Proctor has 40 starts worth of experience, knows how to take away opponent pass-rush moves and moves very well for a 6-foot-7, 352-pound blocker.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
We still don't know whether 37-year-old Harrison Smith will keep playing (and if so, whether he'll return to Minnesota as a free agent). Joshua Metellus, Jay Ward and Theo Jackson are the top safeties on the Vikings' depth chart. In a division with Caleb Williams, Jordan Love and Jared Goff, this has to be a priority at the draft regardless of whether Smith is back for Year 15.
I had Thieneman to the Vikings in my last mock draft. He reminds me a lot of Smith in the way he reads the QB and reacts in a flash. I could see defensive coordinator Brian Flores getting creative with Thieneman, lining him up all over the formation and letting him use his great ball skills to pile up takeaways.
19. Carolina Panthers
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Three safeties in the top 20! McNeil-Warren deserves to be here; he has the speed and instincts to make plays, accumulating 10 forced fumbles and five interceptions over his four seasons at Toledo. Carolina focused on defense this month, signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd to sizable contracts. It also brought back safety Nick Scott alongside Tre'von Moehrig, but McNeil-Warren could make a big impact in the secondary and give the team some options. The Panthers allowed 6.5 yards per dropback last season (22nd in the NFL).
https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48215816/2026-nfl-mock-draft-kiper-32-picks-predictions-post-free-agency-round-1
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I'd be happy with either of those two safeties. I go back and forth on which one I prefer.
"All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand." —Steven Wright
Another mock, another projected safety pick to the Vikings that gets projected every year but never happens
Just my opinion, but I think Harrison Smith is back next year and I highly suspect this pick is a defensive lineman or receiver
supafreak84 wrote:
Another mock, another projected safety pick to the Vikings that gets projected every year but never happensJust my opinion, but I think Harrison Smith is back next year and I highly suspect this pick is a defensive lineman or receiver
Even if HS is back, I am still taking a S or DT in the first, I think the more immediate need is a space eater that can penetrate, but when you look at what the loss of Smith does to the defensive flexibility, having his replacement in house for a year with the OG would be very beneficial IMO.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
supafreak84 wrote:
Another mock, another projected safety pick to the Vikings that gets projected every year but never happensJust my opinion, but I think Harrison Smith is back next year and I highly suspect this pick is a defensive lineman or receiver
Vikings need a safety and safety has value at 18 with both Thieneman and EMW slotting in around that area , so of course safety is going to be mocked to us. I don't see a DT there that blows my socks off (yet). If Jordyn Tyson is there, I'd be awfully tempted.
"All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand." —Steven Wright
MaroonBells wrote:
Vikings need a safety and safety has value at 18 with both Thieneman and EMW slotting in around that area , so of course safety is going to be mocked to us. I don't see a DT there that blows my socks off (yet). If Jordyn Tyson is there, I'd be awfully tempted.
Agreed, but I think how high we choose to draft one will have a lot to do on if Smith is back next year or not. If he's not, then yes, I could absolutely see us going that route in the 1st round. If he's back, it's probably more of a 3rd or 4th round type pick. It's being reported that it's 50/50 at this point on his return and I think the longer we go without hearing a definitive retirement announcement, the more likely it becomes that he comes back.
I really like Jordan Tyson. I also really like Machai Lemon, despite his strange and uncomfortable combine interview.
medaille wrote:
I don't think Smith will know before the draft. I think you have to plan on Smith not being there and if he is that's a bonus
I think Harry is likely intrigued by the QB we just signed. And like Jimmy said, I wouldn't let Harry's decision one way or the other dictate the direction we go in the draft. Given how Flores uses his safeties, it's not like we couldn't use a safety even if Smith returns.
"All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand." —Steven Wright
I don't think Smith will know before the draft. I think you have to plan on Smith not being there and if he is that's a bonus
Agreed. And why would this stop Minnesota from taking a safety anyway? They need one regardless.
I could see Minnesota drafting safety, center and RB somewhere in their first 4 picks by the end of the 3rd round....and three being starters, part-time starters or challenging for starting spots this year/next year. And the remarkable thing is each one of those selections could be BPA at the time of selection. I've got a good feeling the Draft is going to fall well for the Vikings, JMO. This is a VERY good draft to need a center and safety/CB.
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