Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman is one of the top safeties entering the 2026 NFL Draft due to his high instincts as a defender and his scheme versatility.
In anchoring the defensive backfield for a Ducks team that fell short in the college football playoffs, the 6-foot-0, 205-pound Thieneman was a defensive leader who propelled his game in coverage and run support. He doesn’t have the athleticism of a Caleb Downs, but NFL teams looking for a Day 1 starter at safety will love what they see on film when it comes to this defensive stud.
What will stand out is his versatility and ability to play multiple positions as a safety. He can play center field or free safety depending on team need. He does need to strengthen his man coverage, but his overall ball skills, high football IQ, along with this ability to deceive the quarterback makes him a late-first round pick. Again, NFL teams in need of safety help will eye his versatility and all he can bring to the table as an instant start at the next level.
Dillon Thieneman is a “versatile chess piece”
With his ability to play multiple position in the defensive backfield, Dillon Thieneman is rising up many draft boards given his leadership and coverage skills. Ranked at No. 25 in Daniel Jeremiyah’s top 50 NFL Draft prospects, the Oregon Ducks safety is a skilled masterpiece of versatility.
Jeremiyah writes:
“Thieneman was a versatile chess piece in Oregon’s defense. He lined up in the box, in the deep half and over the slot. When he’s aligned in the back end, he can anticipate and range over the top to find and play the ball. He has excellent closing speed and takes good routes. He shows a fluid, smooth pedal when aligned in the slot. He’s quick to plant/drive on throws in front of him and he’s a reliable tackler most of the time.”
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As a Swiss-army knife on defense, Thieneman is a player who will be a defensive coordinator’s dream in his ability to adapt within any scheme. He does have the occasional miss tackle, but his coverage skills along with his ability to play inside the box against the run makes him a solid safety for any team with the position as a top need.
As a projected first round pick, here are 3 NFL fits for Dillon Thieneman in the 2026 NFL Draft.
3 NFL teams in position to land Dillon Thieneman
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings could go in a few directions with their top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. One of their top needs is at the safety position with Harrison Smith facing retirement. They will be out of range in the first round to select a talent like Caleb Downs. If they target a safety on Day 2, Thieneman would be a prime option given his versatility as a defender and what he brings to the table as a competitor. The Vikings will need to add a veteran at safety if Smith does retire just to give the Oregon safety time to adjust at the NFL level. If the Vikings get a corner with their top pick and add Thieneman on Day 2, it would be a winning draft for this NFC North team.
- Other first round options for the Vikings: Mansoor Delane (CB), Jeremiyah Love (RB), Avieon Terrell (CB)
Dallas Cowboys
With two first round picks, the Cowboys have a couple of opportunities to upgrade on defense. Unless Downs slides in the draft outside the top 10, the Cowboys, like the Vikings, will be targeting the next level of talent at safety later in the first round or on Day 2. Thieneman has first-round value but is a player who could go high on Day 2. Since the Cowboys do not have a second-round pick (via a trade with the Jets), they should take an extensive look at Thieneman to solve their needs at the position. A player who can play coverage and down in the box, Thieneman brings both youth and aggression to the Cowboys secondary.
- Other first round options for the Cowboys: Sonny Styles (LB), Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S), Keldric Faulk (DE)
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts traded their 2026 NFL Draft first round pick for All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner. With their need at safety, Dillon Thieneman as their top pick in the draft would be a win for a team that looked like a Super Bowl contender most of the season. This need will mainly depend on whether Nick Cross leaves in free agency. Even if they retain him, adding another versatile defender like Thieneman will be a boost to the secondary, especially with a healthy Garnder in the mix.
- Other first round options for the Colts: A.J. Haulcy (S), Omar Cooper Jr. (WR), Lee Hunter (DL)