{"id":445431,"date":"2026-01-29T15:48:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T15:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/445431\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T15:48:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T15:48:11","slug":"oregons-dillon-thieneman-receives-surprising-nfl-draft-projection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/445431\/","title":{"rendered":"Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman Receives Surprising NFL Draft Projection"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oregon Ducks<\/a> safety Dillon Thieneman declared for the 2026 NFL Draft after one year with the program. NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his first mock draft, predicting Thieneman as a first-round selection.<\/p>\n

Jeremiah has the Chicago Bears selecting Thieneman with the No. 25 overall pick. Thieneman is a versatile athlete, and with the safety position likely a need for the Bears this offseason, Oregon could go another year producing multiple<\/a> first-round picks.<\/p>\n

\"Oregon<\/p>\n

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning holds an orange during the head coaches press conference ahead of Orange Bowl on Dec. 31, 2025, in Dania Beach, Florida. | Ben Lonergan\/The Register-Guard \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Thieneman is a talented safety, but his first-round selection could be surprising. Although he could fall to the second round, his position could be what pushes him to night one of the draft.<\/p>\n

“The Bears figure to be in the safety market with the contracts expiring for Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Thieneman can play both safety spots and could cover in the slot if needed,” Jeremiah wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dillon Thieneman Boosts NFL Draft Stock with Oregon Ducks<\/p>\n

Thieneman transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2025 season after spending two years with the Purdue Boilermakers. He played all 15 games with the Ducks and proved to be a talented athlete. Thieneman finished the season racking up 92 total tackles, one sack, and two interceptions.<\/p>\n

One of his most notable plays of the year came against the Penn State Nittany Lions on the road. The matchup went into overtime, and Thieneman caught the interception that sealed Oregon’s win over the No. 3-ranked team at the time. The interception showed that Thieneman can make clutch plays to help his team win.<\/p>\n

\"Oregon<\/p>\n

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Thienema also had three College Football Playoff games to continue improving his stock<\/a>. He had a big performance against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, recording 12 total tackles.<\/p>\n

MORE: Oregon’s Next Star Offensive Tackle is Already on the Ducks<\/a><\/p>\n

MORE: Oregon Ducks Pushing to Flip Elite Georgia Bulldogs Recruit<\/a><\/p>\n

MORE: College Football Analyst Strongly Defends Oregon Coach Dan Lanning<\/a><\/p>\n

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE<\/a>! <\/p>\n

Thieneman also brought a veteran presence to a young secondary with Oregon. While he may have played just one season with the program, he came in and stepped up as a leader with the Ducks. When Thieneman transferred to Oregon, Ducks\u2019 coach Dan Lanning<\/a> described how the safety\u2019s leadership stands out.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s infatuated with the extra work,” Lanning said. “There’s probably not a day that goes by that he\u2019s not in the weight room, getting bonus work, doing extra rehab, getting extra film. His intelligence, all those things are really picking up, you know, establishing some standards for the DB group and how they’re going to operate.\u201d<\/p>\n

The way he takes the initiative and puts in the work will be an aspect of Thieneman that stands out to NFL teams and helps him become a first-round selection.<\/p>\n

\"Oregon<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) leaves the field following the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 31, 2025. Ohio State lost 24-14. | Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

In Jeremiah\u2019s mock, Thieneman would be the No. 3 safety, selected after Ohio State\u2019s Caleb Downs and Toledo\u2019s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.<\/p>\n

If the safeties go off the board quickly, Thieneman\u2019s name will be one to watch during the first round of the draft.<\/p>\n

Other Potential Oregon First Round Picks to Watch for<\/p>\n

Thieneman will not be the only name to watch for in the first round of the draft. Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq is expected to be a first-round pick, but which team he falls to varies. Jeremiah has him going No. 27 overall to the San Francisco 49ers, but with Sadiq\u2019s talent, he could go much earlier.<\/p>\n

\"Oregon<\/p>\n

Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq talks with reporters during Oregon football\u2019s Media Day on July 28, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. | Ben Lonergan\/The Register-Guard \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Although not in Jeremiah\u2019s mock draft, another Oregon player to watch is offensive lineman<\/a> Emmanuel Pregnon. Pregnon transferred to Oregon ahead of the season as well and played a substantial role in the offense\u2019s success.<\/p>\n

Oregon produced 10 draft picks in 2025, including two first-rounders. With Thieneman\u2019s projection, it could be the second straight year Oregon produces multiple first-round selections.<\/p>\n

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