One of the more exciting junior prospects who declared for the 2026 NFL Draft is Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. Find out how he compares to other leading prospects and where he’s expected to be drafted.
Measurables:
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 205 lbs.
Position: Safety
School: Oregon Ducks
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2026 NFL Draft: Dillon Thieneman Scouting Report
A native of Westfield, IN, Thieneman began his collegiate career following in the footsteps of his two older brothers, who both played for the Purdue Boilermakers.
From the very beginning, Thieneman was a standout and named the starting safety. In the season opener, he made an impressive debut, recording ten tackles and an interception. Named the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week, he established himself as a player to watch.
Five weeks later, he earned the Big Ten Conference Freshman honors for a second time when he recorded eight tackles and an interception against Iowa. By the end of the season, Thieneman had earned the honor for a fifth time with two interceptions and eight tackles against interstate rival Indiana.
Scholastic Honors:
Closing out the year, he was awarded the Big Ten Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year honor. Along the way, he set school records for the most single-season freshman interceptions (6) and solo tackles (74) in Purdue history.
In his sophomore season, Thieneman started all 12 games. Once again, he led his team in tackles. Over the course of both seasons, he recorded a total of 210 tackles, 7 TFLs, 14 passes defended, 1.0 sacks, six interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
However, when the Boilermakers ended the season with a horrific 1-11 record, Thieneman was persuaded to enter the transfer portal and play for Oregon. Surrounded by elite players on the Ducks’ defense, he found another gear.
At Oregon, Thieneman notched 99 tackles (72 solo), defended four passes, two interceptions, and 30 stops. He earned first-team All-Big Ten and first-team All-American honors. Deciding to forego his senior year, he declared for the NFL Draft on January 4, 2026.
Strengths:
Relentless work ethic, often the first to arrive at 5:30 am for workouts
Obsessive attention to detail with his preparation, which prompted coaches to depict him as the defense gold standard
Elite 4.4 speed
Excellent tracking ability with superior ball-hawking coverage instincts
Stays focused on the quarterback
Excellent lower-body control and movement
Ability to transition smoothly in collegiate transfer and succeed in multiple schemes and alignments
Positional versatility and experience playing both strong safety and free safety
Weaknesses:
Can occasionally miss tackles in the run game by committing too early
Needs to improve route-running response time
Hand usage in making tackles is also in need of refinement
Bottom Line:
The number two safety after Caleb Downs, Thieneman, is unquestionably one of the better prospects in his draft class. Although he needs technical refinement in certain aspects of his game, his technical inconsistencies can be overcome with coaching.
Projected as a fast learner and immediate contributor, NFLdraftbuzz.com reports, “Thieneman is the kind of safety who walks into a defensive meeting room on Day One and immediately earns his keep. The coverage grades speak loudly, but what separates him is the totality of the package. This is a player who can align in a two-high shell pre-snap, rotate down to a robber look post-snap, and then fill an alley against the run with real physicality, all within the same drive.”
Currentlyranked number 41 on the LWOS 2026 NFL draft big board, most projections have Thieneman listed as an early second-round pick. However, depending upon his NFL Combine performance, he could surge upwards into a late first-round selection.
Best Team Fits: Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions