As the NFL draft was winding down Saturday, Jake Wieneke actually was hoping he would not be selected.

The South Dakota State wide receiver and Maple Grove native grew up a die-hard Vikings fan. With five picks to go, he received a call from Minnesota wide receivers coach Darrell Hazell asking if he wanted to sign as a free agent if not taken.

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“So for the last five picks of the draft, I was just kind of hoping that I don’t get drafted and I get to sign with the Vikings,’’ Wieneke said Sunday.

That’s what happened. When the draft ended, Wieneke agreed to terms. He officially will sign his deal Thursday and then will report Friday to Vikings rookie minicamp.

“It’s the best feeling in the world,’’ said Wieneke, who starred at Maple Grove High School. “I get to stay with the team I grew up loving and I get to stay in Minnesota. It can’t be anything better than this.’’

Wieneke grew up enamored of many Vikings players, but mostly wide receiver Randy Moss. He said he still has a poster of Moss on his bedroom wall in Maple Grove, and that’s not going anywhere.

Now that Wieneke is joining the Vikings, he’s hoping to get to meet his hero for the first time.

“My agent is working on getting me to be able to work out with him in Charlotte,’’ Wieneke said. “That would be something.’’

Wieneke, though, has a lot more on his mind than just meeting legendary Vikings. He’s looking to make the 53-man roster.

At South Dakota State, Wieneke caught 288 passes for 5,157 yards in four years. He was a first-, second- or third-team All-American in each season.

“I’m going there to make the team and and be the best I can be,’’Wieneke said. “I’m just a lover of football, and I’m going to go and compete. I’m a great locker room guy and will be able to fit in.’’

Wieneke will become the third wide receiver on the Vikings from Minnesota. He will join Detroit Lakes native Adam Thielen, who made the Pro Bowl last season, and Spicer native Brandon Zylstra, who signed as a free agent in January.

Thielen is friendly with Wieneke and has worked out with him. On Saturday, he sent him a text message to offer congratulations.

“I’ve known Jake for a while,’’ Thielen said. “I know the family really well. My uncle is from that area, Maple Grove. He’s just a really good kid, a competitor … I’m excited about his opportunity.’’

Wieneke said workouts he had last summer with Thielen were invaluable.

“He told me a lot of things, little things to work on,’’ Wieneke said. “He showed me some technique, but the big thing is just his example of hard work. Just having his support is a pretty special feeling, and to know that I’ll be on the same team with him is pretty surreal.’’