FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Dillon Thieneman
Dillon Thieneman (DB – Oregon)
6-foot-0 | 205 Pounds
Background
Brothers Jake and Brennan played safety for Purdue, the school Dillon Thieneman originally attended. Immediately stepped into a starting role there in 2023, posting an outstanding 106 tackles, two breakups and six interceptions as a freshman.
Followed that with 104 tackles and seven breakups in 2024 before transferring to Oregon. Last season with the Ducks, he totaled 96 tackles, five breakups and two interceptions before declaring for the draft.
Positives
Highly productive, pretty well-built three-year starter for two different programs. Versatile player who started his collegiate career as a relatively pure free safety, but progressively played more in the box and slot each year. Active pre-snap communicator. There’s a nice balance and footwork in his backpedal. Shows good patience and recognition skills to diagnose as a high safety.
Thieneman trusts his instincts and ends up around the ball very often, with his overall awareness, confidence and quick trigger giving him considerable range. Likes to come up and get involved in the run game. Has been a highly reliable form tackler throughout his career, with what looks like good length and a bit of physicality to his game.
Shows the instincts and range to get out to the sideline and provide help over the top when playing Cover 2 or bracket concepts. Processes route combinations pretty well, with good patience and depth to keep things in front of him. Intercepted eight passes over three years, showing impressive ball skills and body control.
Shows good technique with his arms/hands to go for the breakup when working in man/pattern-matching. Has managed to avoid penalties throughout his career, showing good timing.
Negatives
Thieneman occasionally took aggressive angles when playing downhill, which can make it hard for him to recover if he’s wrong, as he lacks elite athleticism (speed, agility, closing/recovery burst in pursuit). Contact balance and anchor at the point of attack when dealing with stalk blockers is closer to average.
More physical than he is functionally strong. Struggled a little bit to work through picks/rubs from the slot during the games reviewed. Smoother than he is twitchy when shading over the slot and working in off-coverage. Plays a little bit more flat-footed than you’d like. Can be a bit late to get his head around when his back is to the ball.
Summary
A very experienced safety and jack-of-all-trades who might not have the most elite athletic tools, but still manages to end up around the ball very often because of his impressive patience, instincts and recognition skills.
Thieneman is capable of working in high zones, shading over the slot and processing route combinations from off-coverage, or dropping down into the box and offering active run defense with reliable tackling. Those traits should make him a starter in the NFL. His best fit would be in a scheme that could take advantage of his versatility.
Projection: Round 2
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