2026 Free Agency and Draft: Safety
Emmanuel McNiel-Warren (EMW) forced 11 fumbles during his time at Toledo. Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez had 13. Both are experts at the "peanut punch." And there's a chance we could draft both. EMW is considered a late 1st rounder, Rodriguez a middle 2nd rounder.
When people say this draft class is not very good they mean it is not a very good class for QBs.
But for most of the positions the Vikings need, this draft is very deep. In particular, even though Downs will be gone by 18, the Safety class is very, very deep. So is the CB class. I suspect that 3 or 4 CBs could be gone by the time we pick, so there may be s bit more urgency here than at Safety. There are a few good DTs as well, but pass-rushing DTs are few - as they always are. If Woods is there at 18, that would be a solid choice.
I assume we will part ways with Aaron Jones and this draft has some good options at RB. Love should be gone before we pick, but Johnson and Price should be there in the second - I like them better than Coleman. While there are also some good RBs late, if we do not address this position in FA I would like to see us spend a second or early third on a RB.
DB Bud Clark had 15 career interceptions at TCU, including four straight years of 3+ interceptions. True ball hawk:
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) February 26, 2026
🎥: @draftlives_here https://t.co/Fmr0fD8bvH pic.twitter.com/sOqzZXkE9y
Oh my...
Yeah Dillon Thieneman huge winner of the day. People thought he was “sneaky atheltic” because of his skin tone but in reality dude is a freak athlete. Not to mention an unreal football player. pic.twitter.com/ATSb8OT5ge
— Brentley Weissman (@Brentley12) February 27, 2026
The comps are more than just skin color. Looks like Harry, runs like Harry, hits like Harry. Not quite as big, but much faster and much more athletic. 4.34 forty, 41 vert...
What’s the over/under on Harrison Smith comps for Thieneman?
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) February 28, 2026
Daniel Jeremiah: "I got a text from a personnel buddy who said, 'Tough day for free-agent free safeties.'" pic.twitter.com/TxikKfBBXF
— Matt Clapp (@DaBearNecess) February 27, 2026
dadevike wrote:
Thieneman was a mid to late second round pick pre-Combine. Now we will be very lucky if he makes it to 18.
Everyone and their bros have been mocking him to Vikings....Reminiscent of Tyler Warren to Colts last year.
I guess we'll see what happens post combine?
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
dadevike wrote:
Thieneman was a mid to late second round pick pre-Combine. Now we will be very lucky if he makes it to 18.
You put together his football IQ with that kind of speed and athleticism and it's hard to go wrong. And yeah, now there's a legit concern he won't be there at 18. It will be interesting to see his movement in the mocks post-combine.
REPORT: Caleb Downs was flagged this week with a partially torn meniscus. There is also concern about a possible “degenerative ACL.” (per @fakecorykinnan)
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) March 3, 2026
It feels similar to the Will Johnson situation last year. We’ll see how it plays out. pic.twitter.com/G7dOd53j2k
MaroonBells wrote:
https://x.com/scoutdnfl/status/2028628055464526284?s=20
Dayum....
This mock has EMW to Vikings and Theineman to Bears later in rd1. Bears dont have a starting S right now??
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25401705-2026-nfl-mock-draft-post-combine-predictions-br-nfl-draft-scouting-dept?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
The more I watch, the more I love. Range, vision, instincts...and now a 4.35 forty and a 41-inch vert? Sign me up.
#Oregon S Dillon Thieneman was a massive winner at the combine.
— Andy (@AndyyNFL) March 2, 2026
Testing numbers solidified his elite athleticism. Perfect rangy safety with 10 forced turnovers and 302 total tackles in his college career. Top-20 player on my Big Board. pic.twitter.com/RwGKoDm43F
Safety Harrison Smith was celebrated in the finale of his 14th Vikings season as if it were the end. But nothing is official yet. If he’s released, the team will likely use a salary cap lever to free up a marginal amount of room. Smith’s contract is scheduled to void, and releasing him with a post-June 1 designation, a maneuver that defers $7.6 million in remaining cap charges to 2027, frees an additional $1.3 million, according to OverTheCap.com.
Smith’s absence would leave a massive hole on the roster. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski’s shopping list this month may include a starting safety, of which there are many intriguing pending free agents. This seems like a good year to need help.
The Vikings could use a centerfield type to cover deep zones in a way they weren’t able to quickly replicate when safety Cam Bynum got paid by Indianapolis last year. Safety Josh Metellus rightfully got paid as a do-it-all defender, but he’s not at his best when backpedaling. Safety Theo Jackson’s role diminished under coordinator Brian Flores, who started giving late-season looks to safety Jay Ward.
With Flores, the team values a versatile slot corner like Byron Murphy Jr., who is entering the second year of a three-year, $54 million deal. Beyond that at cornerback? Don’t expect bigger spending if Flores continues to bank on pass rush over coverage, blitzing at league-high rates. Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers remains on an affordable contract after a rocky first year that saw strong zone coverage but inconsistent tackling. Cornerback Jeff Okudah’s contract is expiring after twice entering the concussion protocol in six games.
Current roster: CB Byron Murphy Jr., CB Isaiah Rodgers, S Josh Metellus, S Theo Jackson, DB Jay Ward, CB Dwight McGlothern, CB Zemaiah Vaughn, S Kahlef Hailassie, S Josh Ross
Free agents: S Harrison Smith (void), CB Jeff Okudah, S Tavierre Thomas, CB Fabian Moreau
Current salary cap allocated: $31.7 million at cornerback (11th in NFL), $15.1 million at safety (19th)
Free agents to watch
S Bryan Cook (Chiefs): Cook, a 2022 second-round pick, had a breakout year at the right time as his rookie contract expires. Pro Football Focus gave Cook the third-best coverage grade out of all NFL safeties last season. He proved to be a well-rounded defender, aligning in the box and deep for Kansas City. Cook, who turns 27 in September, missed just two tackles in coverage, per PFF. Flores likes that kind of versatility and tackling. But Cook might be too expensive for the cap-strapped Vikings.
S Alohi Gilman (Ravens): Coach Kevin O’Connell complimented how Gilman’s trade to Baltimore ahead of the Vikings-Ravens matchup last season allowed the Ravens’ standout box safety, Kyle Hamilton, to roam around the line of scrimmage more often. That’s because Gilman can hold his own on the back end. The former Chargers safety enters his seventh NFL season having ascended over the past three years, during which he has deflected 23 passes. Gilman’s Ravens teammate, safety Ar’Darius Washington, is another intriguing option who is coming off an Achilles tear after a strong 2024 season.
S Jaylinn Hawkins (Patriots): New Vikings defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander used to coach Bynum, the ex-Vikings safety, when they were at Cal together from 2017 through 2019. Perhaps Alexander will look to that Cal secondary for another former Golden Bear in Hawkins, Bynum’s former teammate who is coming off a solid year in New England. Hawkins thrived in a versatile role under Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, and the Vikings also ask their defensive backs to blitz and provide run support.
S Nick Cross (Colts): Only five safeties blitzed more than Cross’ 60 times last season. That sounds like Flores’ kind of guy. He’s been a tackling machine as a Colts starter for the past two seasons, which the Vikings were missing without Bynum back there. Cross may not cover as well as Bynum at this point, but Flores often aims his defenders downhill.
S Reed Blankenship (Eagles): Blankenship, 27, has had an up-and-down career to this point for Philadelphia. The ups included his stellar 2024 campaign for the Super Bowl champions. But he dropped off in coverage last year, allowing over 70% completion and a team-worst four touchdowns, per PFF.
S Kevin Byard (Bears): Byard, with 36 interceptions in 10 NFL seasons, becomes the league’s active INTs leader if Smith, with 39 interceptions, retires. Byard is still playing really well entering Year 11, coming off a first-team All-Pro selection with seven interceptions last year in Chicago. Byard, who turns 33 in August, could ease the Vikings’ transition from Smith with immediate and savvy coverage.
S Kyle Dugger (Steelers): Alexander, the new DBs coach, just came from Pittsburgh, where the Steelers traded to acquire Dugger, another versatile DB from New England. Dugger, who turns 30 next month, is two years removed from his best football. He had a four-year run with the Patriots as a strong box safety with blitzing and tackling chops. He seemed to be ascending. If Alexander believes in Dugger, perhaps a reunion is in store.
STRIB
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Admin question-- Is there a way I can hide/unpin the dozen threads such as this one that appear before the active threads? Thanks.
Nothing against this or the similar threads, I like them. Just asking
purplefaithful wrote:
Safety Harrison Smith was celebrated in the finale of his 14th Vikings season as if it were the end. But nothing is official yet. If he’s released, the team will likely use a salary cap lever to free up a marginal amount of room. Smith’s contract is scheduled to void, and releasing him with a post-June 1 designation, a maneuver that defers $7.6 million in remaining cap charges to 2027, frees an additional $1.3 million, according to OverTheCap.com.Smith’s absence would leave a massive hole on the roster. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski’s shopping list this month may include a starting safety, of which there are many intriguing pending free agents. This seems like a good year to need help.
The Vikings could use a centerfield type to cover deep zones in a way they weren’t able to quickly replicate when safety Cam Bynum got paid by Indianapolis last year. Safety Josh Metellus rightfully got paid as a do-it-all defender, but he’s not at his best when backpedaling. Safety Theo Jackson’s role diminished under coordinator Brian Flores, who started giving late-season looks to safety Jay Ward.
With Flores, the team values a versatile slot corner like Byron Murphy Jr., who is entering the second year of a three-year, $54 million deal. Beyond that at cornerback? Don’t expect bigger spending if Flores continues to bank on pass rush over coverage, blitzing at league-high rates. Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers remains on an affordable contract after a rocky first year that saw strong zone coverage but inconsistent tackling. Cornerback Jeff Okudah’s contract is expiring after twice entering the concussion protocol in six games.
Current roster: CB Byron Murphy Jr., CB Isaiah Rodgers, S Josh Metellus, S Theo Jackson, DB Jay Ward, CB Dwight McGlothern, CB Zemaiah Vaughn, S Kahlef Hailassie, S Josh Ross
Free agents: S Harrison Smith (void), CB Jeff Okudah, S Tavierre Thomas, CB Fabian Moreau
Current salary cap allocated: $31.7 million at cornerback (11th in NFL), $15.1 million at safety (19th)
Free agents to watch
S Bryan Cook (Chiefs): Cook, a 2022 second-round pick, had a breakout year at the right time as his rookie contract expires. Pro Football Focus gave Cook the third-best coverage grade out of all NFL safeties last season. He proved to be a well-rounded defender, aligning in the box and deep for Kansas City. Cook, who turns 27 in September, missed just two tackles in coverage, per PFF. Flores likes that kind of versatility and tackling. But Cook might be too expensive for the cap-strapped Vikings.
S Alohi Gilman (Ravens): Coach Kevin O’Connell complimented how Gilman’s trade to Baltimore ahead of the Vikings-Ravens matchup last season allowed the Ravens’ standout box safety, Kyle Hamilton, to roam around the line of scrimmage more often. That’s because Gilman can hold his own on the back end. The former Chargers safety enters his seventh NFL season having ascended over the past three years, during which he has deflected 23 passes. Gilman’s Ravens teammate, safety Ar’Darius Washington, is another intriguing option who is coming off an Achilles tear after a strong 2024 season.
S Jaylinn Hawkins (Patriots): New Vikings defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander used to coach Bynum, the ex-Vikings safety, when they were at Cal together from 2017 through 2019. Perhaps Alexander will look to that Cal secondary for another former Golden Bear in Hawkins, Bynum’s former teammate who is coming off a solid year in New England. Hawkins thrived in a versatile role under Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, and the Vikings also ask their defensive backs to blitz and provide run support.
S Nick Cross (Colts): Only five safeties blitzed more than Cross’ 60 times last season. That sounds like Flores’ kind of guy. He’s been a tackling machine as a Colts starter for the past two seasons, which the Vikings were missing without Bynum back there. Cross may not cover as well as Bynum at this point, but Flores often aims his defenders downhill.
S Reed Blankenship (Eagles): Blankenship, 27, has had an up-and-down career to this point for Philadelphia. The ups included his stellar 2024 campaign for the Super Bowl champions. But he dropped off in coverage last year, allowing over 70% completion and a team-worst four touchdowns, per PFF.
S Kevin Byard (Bears): Byard, with 36 interceptions in 10 NFL seasons, becomes the league’s active INTs leader if Smith, with 39 interceptions, retires. Byard is still playing really well entering Year 11, coming off a first-team All-Pro selection with seven interceptions last year in Chicago. Byard, who turns 33 in August, could ease the Vikings’ transition from Smith with immediate and savvy coverage.
S Kyle Dugger (Steelers): Alexander, the new DBs coach, just came from Pittsburgh, where the Steelers traded to acquire Dugger, another versatile DB from New England. Dugger, who turns 30 next month, is two years removed from his best football. He had a four-year run with the Patriots as a strong box safety with blitzing and tackling chops. He seemed to be ascending. If Alexander believes in Dugger, perhaps a reunion is in store.
STRIB
Several of these guys signed really cheap deals. What are we waiting on? I really wanted Hawkins. He just signed 2 years $10M. Very reasonable deal.
pattersaur wrote:
Admin question-- Is there a way I can hide/unpin the dozen threads such as this one that appear before the active threads? Thanks.Nothing against this or the similar threads, I like them. Just asking
we used to have the function, but I think it was on the old board. I dont see a "sink" feature with this software.
the logic is that we should be using the position threads for all discussion on FA and potential draft picks instead of flooding the lower part of the board with new threads on each and every player out there that is moving around.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman is an ELITE Safety Prospect🦆 pic.twitter.com/4jGRqC6UU4
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 13, 2026
Toledo SAF Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has the highest single season run defense grade amongst all SAF prospects since 2015 at 95.0. He's 1/2 SAF prospects since 2015 with a run defense grade > 91.0 and a career pressure rate > 1/3, joining Desmond King. His physicality, ability to… pic.twitter.com/svjs152tQX
— Adam Carter (@impactfbdata) March 17, 2026
Interesting interview with DJ about the safety position. There are teams who have EMW over Downs and teams who have Thieneman over Downs. Could Caleb Downs drop to 18? Doesn't seem likely but safeties do drop....
.@MoveTheSticks tells @OThankKevin and @inthemageors that Caleb Downs is still in play for the #DallasCowboys at No. 12 overall. pic.twitter.com/YnmgM0sMOx
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) March 25, 2026
The Vikings had an official formal interview at the NFL Combine for Arizona CB Treydan Stukes. Then Stukes had dinner with Vikings defensive pass game coordinator Gerald Alexander this week before his pro day. Played corner, nickel, box and single-high safety. Sounds like a Flores DB to me. 6-1, 190, 4.33. One of only three corners in FBS to grade 90+.
Treydan Stukes Cut Ups https://t.co/05hWTHl3ok pic.twitter.com/1YzBttgKD5
— jeremiah🐦⬛ (@NewEraMiah) February 20, 2026
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