Jacob Thomas 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Minnesota Vikings S

The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly signing James Madison safety Jacob Thomas as an undrafted rookie free agent, according to the team's site.

Jacob Thomas is a highly decorated Sun-Belt safety, with high level-athletic traits, an aggressive mindset and a versatile skillset to fulfill multiple roles within a defense.

The former high school quarterback was a nominee for the 2025 Burlsworth Award, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding football player who began his collegiate career as a walk-on. He earned a starting role during his sophomore season and hasn't looked back.

As a walk-on, Thomas didn't have a ranking or interest nationally and fought for every rep, including a position switch to safety. The work ethic is there to develop into a rotational safety with special teams floor.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in our scouting department.

Highlights

Jacob Thomas Highlights

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Where He Wins

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— Thomas is a good athlete with smooth movement skills and reactive ability to make plays in a variety of ways. His versatility allows him to play all over the field, but he does his best when working in the box.

— The former walk-on has a workman's mentality and his motor runs hot. Thomas gets downhill quickly, throws his body around in the run game and chases plays down.

— Big-nickel upside with man-coverage ability against tight ends and willingness to play with physicality.

— Thomas gains depth well and tracks the football smoothly. His ball skills help him to defend the ball in the air and attack the catch-point.

Areas of Improvement

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— Thomas must refine his tackling technique. Wrapping up more consistently and improving pursuit angles will limit run-after-the-catch yards and make the safety prospect a more reliable run-defender.

— In zone coverage, the 6'1", 212-pound defensive back tends to rely on mirroring the quarterback's eyes. He's a good reactive athlete, but his instincts for reading route-concepts are still developing.

— Functional strength to take on blocks and deal with physical receivers needs improved. Thomas can be bullied at the top of routes and struggle to get off blocks.

—Better athletes and offensive concepts lie ahead after playing against a lower level of competition, and his processing speed must quicken.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 6.3 (Developmental Prospect - Fifth Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE:  S Dan Jackson, Georgia (6.4 in 2025), CB Isaiah Johnson, Syracuse (6.3 in 2024), S Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame (6.4 in 2023)

OVERALL RANK: 194

POSITION RANK: S18

PRO COMPARISON: Ronnie Hickman

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'0"
Weight: 215
Hand Size: N/A
Arm Length: N/A
Wingspan: N/A

40-yard dash: 4.45
10-yard split: N/A
Vertical: 36 ½"
Broad: 10'1"
3 cone: 6.8
Shuttle: 4.21
Bench: N/A