When the transfer portal opened in December 2024, Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning prioritized key additions to bolster the roster, with safety Dillon Thieneman emerging as a standout acquisition. Adding a potential first-round draft pick in the portal is rare, but it appears possible for this Ducks team. 

Thieneman, a former Purdue defensive back, quickly became a focal point for the Ducks due to his exceptional production and untapped potential.

Over the past two seasons, Thieneman established himself as one of the nation's premier safeties, earning recognition as a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft. In ESPN analyst Matt Miller's early 2026 NFL mock draft, Thieneman is projected as a first-round pick, slotted to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 30. 

"That could open the door for Kansas City to select Thieneman, who intercepted six passes at Purdue in 2023 and racked up 104 tackles last season. He transferred to Oregon, where he'll be able to play both deep and box safety in Dan Lanning's pro-style defense. His size (6-foot, 207 pounds) and playmaking instincts should allow him to thrive with the Ducks," Miller said.

The Chiefs, perennial Super Bowl contenders, have struggled with inconsistency at the safety position with current starters Bryan Cook and Jaden Hicks. Thieneman’s selection could provide a significant boost to Kansas City’s secondary, addressing a gap that has been evident since Tyrann Mathieu’s departure in 2021.

Thieneman’s potential selection would mark the second consecutive year an Oregon defensive player is chosen in the first round, following defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions at No. 21 in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Harmon, a disruptive force on the defensive line, has already shown promise in the NFL, recording 3.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in his rookie season, according to early 2025 NFL statistics.

Joining Thieneman in Miller’s mock draft is Oregon offensive tackle Isaiah World, projected to be selected by the San Francisco 49ers at No. 23. 

World, ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 2 overall player in the transfer portal by 247Sports, transferred to Oregon and has quickly become a projected cornerstone of the Ducks’ offensive line. His selection would follow in the footsteps of former Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr., who was picked by the Washington Commanders at No. 29 in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Both Thieneman and World are part of Oregon’s highly regarded No. 5 transfer portal class, as ranked by 247Sports. Another transfer making waves is offensive guard Emmanuel Pregnon, who came to Oregon from USC. 

Ranked as the No. 3 interior offensive lineman and No. 21 overall player in the transfer portal, Pregnon has the potential to elevate his draft stock with a strong 2025 season. While first-round selections for guards are increasingly rare, an outstanding performance from Pregnon alongside World could see Oregon achieve a historic milestone: two first-round offensive linemen in the same draft.

Oregon’s recent NFL Draft success extends beyond Harmon and Conerly Jr. In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Ducks saw several other players selected, showcasing the program’s ability to produce professional talent. 

Quarterback Bo Nix, drafted by the Denver Broncos at No. 12 in 2024, continued to develop in his second NFL season, throwing for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2025, per ESPN. Additionally, wide receiver Troy Franklin, a 2024 fourth-round pick by the Broncos, could still find his way into the team's rotation in Year 2.

The Ducks’ transfer portal strategy, combined with Lanning’s coaching, has positioned Oregon as a pipeline for NFL talent. If Thieneman, World, and Pregnon deliver standout performances in 2025, the Ducks could see multiple first-round selections in 2026, further cementing their reputation as a breeding ground for elite prospects.