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Dillon Thieneman NFL Draft Scouting Report
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- Dillon Thieneman NFL Draft Scouting Report
Oregon 's Dillon Thieneman is one of the top safety prospects in this year's class, with a combination of athleticism, versatility and instincts that makes him a big-play defender at every level of the field. After a dominant performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, Thieneman should be a lock to come off the board in the first round, and could be a top-15 pick.
Here's everything NFL fans need to know about Thieneman heading into this year's draft:
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Dillon Thieneman's Vitals
Height:6-0
Weight:205
Age:21
Dillon Thieneman's Strengths
An impressive all-around athlete, Thieneman is a dangerous weapon when working downhill, using impressive speed and explosiveness to fly down into the box and make big stops in the ground game. He's a sure tackler who brings a ton of pop in his pads, and he's quick to process what's happening in front of him, consistently putting himself in position to make plays. He has the intelligence and athleticism to be tasked with a wide range of roles and alignments, working from single-high, or in the slot, or down in the box. Thieneman shows impressive ball skills when it comes his way, tracking and breaking at the right moment to break up passes or haul them in himself. He plays with the toughness and competitive fire that rubs off on his teammates, and comes through in the clutch.
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Dillon Thieneman's Weaknesses
It's a running theme amongst the most aggressive defenders in this group, but Thieneman's penchant for flying down into the box is a double-edged sword. It can lead to over-pursuit and open cutback lanes against the run, as well as leaving voids in coverage in the play-action game. The most explosive slot receivers can stress him in man coverage, as he can struggle to match their quickness and elite straight-line speed. Improved technique when taking on blocks would make him more effective in run support.
Final Analysis
The best defenses in today's NFL have versatile, athletic safeties who can line up all over the place and make big plays because of their mental and physical prowess. Thieneman checks those boxes, and he's polished enough to make an immediate impact, even in a complex role that asks a lot of him. Once he learns to be more disciplined in his pursuit angles, Thieneman could be a Pro Bowler.
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2026 NFL Draft Projection: 1st Round
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
