Vikings linked to 73-tackle Oregon transfer as potential Harrison Smith successor

Ryan OLeary

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Vikings linked to 73-tackle Oregon transfer as potential Harrison Smith successor image

NFL draft analysts have one joint complaint when it comes to the Minnesota Vikings' 2025 rookie class: What happened to safety?

Minnesota’s need for a new franchise safety was undeniable entering draft weekend, with all-time franchise great Harrison Smith likely entering a swan song season, and fellow starter Camryn Bynum now with the Indianapolis Colts. Draft pundits were mostly aligned in mocking players like Georgia’s Malaki Starks and South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori to the Vikings at pick No. 24 overall.

The board fell perfectly for those prognostications, as Minnesota could have taken the top safety on its board with the way Day 1 of the NFL Draft unfolded. The team instead went with star Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson to help fortify the protection for first-year starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

MORE: Vikings NFL Draft grades: Minnesota gets mixed reviews from Mel Kiper Jr., other experts

No one’s questioning the team’s strategy with the Jackson pick, but it was a bit surprising that the team punted on drafting a safety altogether. One of the most important position groups in Brian Flores’ defense — he routinely deployed three safeties in 2024, sending Josh Metellus on the field with Smith and Bynum — is now razor thin, with special teamer Theo Jackson and 2023 fourth-rounder Jay Ward likely in the mix for promoted roles.

NFL draft analysts are thus looking ahead to 2026 for the Vikings to land their star safety prospect of the future, with Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman of PFF projecting recent Oregon transfer Dillon Thieneman as the team’s potential successor for Smith. 

“Thieneman is arguably the best single-high safety in college football. His grades dipped a bit in 2024 due to Purdue playing him in more of a box role, but he still posted a solid 72.4 PFF overall grade,” they wrote. “Thieneman has since transferred to Oregon, where he will certainly be in the spotlight under Dan Lanning. If he regains the form he showed in an outstanding 2023, he could be a natural successor to Harrison Smith in Minnesota.”

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Thieneman boosted his NFL Draft stock with Purdue in 2023, flashing all-around skills from coverage to run defense. He took a slight step back in 2024, but still posted 73 tackles and a 72.4 overall grade from PFF.

It’s still way too early to be projecting 2026 draft prospects, but Thieneman could keep himself on a first-round trajectory if he lights it up this season with the Ducks. Vikings scouts will likely be watching, as the team will have to start adding young talent at the safety position in short order.

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.