Five best fits for Oregon S Dillon Thieneman in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Oregon Ducks have made a habit of pulling top-tier talent out of the transfer portal and getting the most out of them, no matter how long they wind up staying in Eugene. Dillon Thieneman is no different, spending just one season with the Ducks and solidifying himself as a first-round draft pick after starting his career at Purdue.
Thieneman was a key part of one of the best defenses in the country last season. He made 96 tackles with 3.5 for a loss, as well as two interceptions and seven pass deflections. The Ducks deployed Thieneman in several creative ways in the middle of their defense. His tackling ability and athleticism allowed him to play a hybrid role, roving over the middle of the field like a linebacker, and he had enough speed and ball skills to play deep safety.
After becoming a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist and exploding at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds and hitting a 41-inch vertical jump, Thieneman is as close to a sure thing as it gets heading into the first night of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Thieneman and tight end Kenyon Sadiq are the only two Ducks who appear to be locked in to a first-round selection. Depending on where you look, Thieneman is either ranked as the second or third best safety in the class, battling with Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, while Ohio State's Caleb Downs is the consensus top choice at the position.
Let's take a look at the five best fits and realistic landing spots for Thieneman when the NFL Draft begins on April 23.
Minnesota Vikings
Draft Selections:Round 1, No. 18
Analysis:The Vikings are by far the most popular landing spot for Thieneman in mock drafts, and it's easy to see why. Thieneman's speed and versatility to play across the formation make him a dream fit for Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who is looking to replace veteran safety Harrison Smith this offseason. He's capable of the big hits over the middle and able to play the run against an aggressive division on the ground, as well as take away the vertical passing game along the boundary. He's the Swiss Army knife that Flores desires for his defense.
Miami Dolphins
Draft Selections:Round 1, No. 11 & No. 30
Analysis:It's unlikely the Dolphins would take Thieneman at No. 11, but not impossible. It's more likely that they would take him at No. 30 if he were to fall that far in the draft. The Dolphins traded away safety Minkah Fitzpatrick this offseason, and Thieneman is a logical replacement. Miami has tried to draft speed at every position in recent years, and Thieneman certainly fits the theme. Safety is a non-premium position in the draft, but the Dolphins need a lot of help in different spots. If Thieneman makes it this far, he will likely be the best player available at No. 30. New Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley also has an affinity for coaching defensive backs, so the former Duck is a perfect pairing to lead a new defense in Miami.
Philadelphia Eagles
Draft Selections:Round 1, No. 23
Analysis:The Eagles have been great at drafting under general manager Howie Roseman, but sometimes they wind up fortunate when an elite talent falls in their lap. That could happen again with Thieneman, who would solve a big issue in the secondary in Philadelphia. The Eagles lost Reed Blankenship in free agency and traded Sydney Brown to the Falcons, so Thieneman could be another plug-and-play replacement on the back end alongside Cooper DeJean . If Thieneman doesn't fall to No. 23, he still might be a player the Eagles trade up for because of his versatility over the middle of the field. Adding an athletic freak to the secondary would only boost Philadelphia's defense in the long run.
Chicago Bears
Draft Selections:Round 1, No. 25
Analysis:Like many teams on this list, the Bears need to replace some lost talent in the secondary. The Bears lost four rotational pieces in a secondary that had great ball production last season, leading the NFL with 23 interceptions. Thieneman had two picks and five pass breakups with the Ducks last season, but he nabbed six interceptions as a freshman at Purdue. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen already added Coby Bryant to his secondary in free agency, but Thieneman is a perfect counter to the type of game Bryant plays. Thieneman would likely play more deep safety with the Bears and make crushing hits along the sidelines. Despite all the turnover production, the Bears' biggest weakness was their defense, which was torn apart down the stretch. Thieneman is an instant fix in Chicago.
Seattle Seahawks
Draft Selections:Round 1, No. 32
Analysis:This is a situation in which the Seahawks would likely have to trade up to get Thieneman, but that shouldn't sway the Super Bowl champions against drafting the Oregon star. Thieneman's physicality as a defensive back is fits with Seattle's defense that took over the league in the postseason en route to a championship. The Seahawks lost a couple of veteran members of the secondary and could use someone like Thieneman to complete a young trio with corner Devon Witherspoon and safety Nick Emmanwori . The NFC West is filled with potent passing attacks and threatening receivers downfield, such as Puka Nacua , Davante Adams , and now Mike Evans , who signed with the rival 49ers in the offseason. As the rest of the division loads up, the fit for Thieneman in Seattle is a perfect way to begin their title defense.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Five best NFL fits for Oregon Ducks S Dillon Thieneman
