Vikings Beat Writer Makes Surprise Pick in Final Mock Draft
We have reached the point in the offseason where even the most fair-weather Minnesota Vikings fans can finally shift their offseason focus to the NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday evening.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is out of the picture, meaning Rob Brzezinski and Kevin O’Connell will lead the Vikings war room for the first (and possibly only) time as the top draft duo in-charge.
The Vikings have needs to fill all over their defense, with safety being arguably the most pressing, especially should Harrison Smith retire, like one local insider expects.
Many mock drafts have suggested that Minnesota will select Oregon Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman with the No. 18 overall pick. However, the MN Vikings could go a variety of different routes later this week… including a different top Duck that’s seemingly on their radar.
But Minnesota also has talent to replenish on the offensive side of the football too. One position that could use an influx of youth is tight end. T.J. Hockenson took a pay cut to stay one more season, but now is due for free agency in 2027.
Alec Lewis’ final MN Vikings mock: Kenyon Sadiq at No. 18
And in the interim, Kevin O’Connell would be able to mess around with personnel packages that we haven’t seen at U.S. Bank stadium on a regular basis since the now-seasoned head coach arrived in Minnesota.
So, if Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq — this draft’s cream of the tight end crop — Vikings insider Alec Lewis (The Athletic) has them surprisingly pulling the trigger on yet another offensive weapon for KOC and Kyler Murray to work with.
Do the Vikings need another offensive weapon? No. Would Sadiq bring a unique skill set to the Vikings? Absolutely.
In recent seasons, NFL teams have been trending toward heavier bodies. Sadiq will give any team 12 personnel and 13 personnel versatility because of his willingness to block. His ability to sift through traffic and snatch defenders in space also provides flexibility to line him up in the backfield as a quasi-fullback.
Hockenson is only under contract through the 2026 season. Sadiq would offer a big-bodied target for Kyler Murray, a quarterback who has thrived throwing to the position since he entered the NFL in 2019. Pair his positional flex with superstar receiver Justin Jefferson for the next five seasons, and the Vikings will have two unique body types and movers who would feed off of one another.
Alec Lewis – The Athletic
Adding Sadiq would be an embarrassment of riches, given that not only do the Vikings have Hockenson at their disposal, but Josh Oliver too, who’s widely regarded as the best blocking tight end in football.
Sadiq makes sense for Vikings if…
Sadiq played in 14 games each of his three seasons at Oregon. Last year he put up 560 yards and eight touchdowns on 51 receptions. He has receiver speed (clocked at 23.24 MPH at combine) and a willingness/sense for blocking, given his size.
Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon)
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) January 22, 2026
#1 TE/#11 overall
– Seam-stretcher with elite burst & speed to glide past man coverage
– Dynamic after the catch
– Tenacious run blocker. Can survive inline, but at his best climbing to the 2nd level
– Dramatically improved as a route runner after… pic.twitter.com/qHTATePcGo
There are other areas of the roster that Minnesota may need to address more seriously, but it would be difficult to pass up such a talent if Sadiq is still on the board when the Vikings turn comes up.
Hockenson hasn’t replicated the 960 yards he generated during his first full season with Minnesota (2023), and he has dealt with injuries since. With Jalen Nailor off to Las Vegas, there are questions surrounding Minnesota’s third wide receiver.
Sadiq could help to shoulder some of that load and allow O’Connell to play around with heavier sets on offense. Should the Vikings go Sadiq at #18, you can bet on a lot of defensive picks the rest of the draft.
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