Vikings selected Miami S Jakobe Thomas with the No. 98 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Thomas (6’1/211) is a high-volume, downhill safety with a sturdy frame and respectable athletic profile (7.32 RAS, 4.57 speed, 75th percentile) that shows up in his aggressive trigger and box presence. He logged 774 snaps in 2025, producing 58 tackles with 22 stops and 14 pressures, underscoring his role as a hybrid run defender/blitzer who consistently inserts into the front. In coverage, Thomas was targeted 50 times, allowing 31 receptions for 340 yards and a strong 89.1 coverage grade, but his 19.4 percent missed tackle rate and 11.0 yards per reception reflect volatility on the back end. Across his career (1,133 yards allowed on 94 catches), Thomas has paired opportunistic ball production (nine INTs, 16 PBUs per scouting profile) with inconsistent deep discipline, occasionally surrendering explosives due to over-aggressive eyes. Thomas projects as a rotational strong safety and sub-package chess piece whose downhill playmaking and blitz utility fit best in split-safety or pressure-heavy schemes, though his range limitations and tackling inefficiency cap his ceiling.