Dillon Thieneman 2026 NFL Draft: scouting report for Oregon, safety

Here is a 2026 NFL Draft scouting report on Dillon Thieneman.

Rob Gregson — NFL News Writer

Feb 15, 2026 4:57 PM EST

Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back J'Koby Williams (20) is tackled by Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the second half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. — Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back J’Koby Williams (20) is tackled by Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the second half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Height: 6-0
Weight: 205 lbs
Year: Junior
Pro Comparison: Kevin Byard

2026 NFL Combine Results

Dillon Thieneman, Oregon, safety

Hand Size: N/A
Arm Length: N/A
40-Yard Dash: N/A
Vertical Leap: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
3-Cone: N/A

Pros of Dillon Thieneman

Ultra instinctive. Felt like there was a 12th player on the field at times. Sees things before they happen. Proactive defender whose production comes from being a step ahead.
Versatility. Can roam the box like a linebacker with excellent tackling in space, yet rangy enough to drop into the deep post and get off the hash as a true safety.
Ball skills. Eight interceptions in three seasons as a safety despite often aligning closer to the line of scrimmage or dropping in as a hole player.

Cons of Dillon Thieneman

Lacks the fluidity and change of direction to be a full-time apex player or nickel defender. Want him on tight ends when it comes to man coverage.
Excellent tackler, but doesn’t have a ton of “wow” hits on his tape. Won’t garner the thumper label.
Rather say woe em than sic em, but could use a little patience in his pursuit angles at times. Could lead to fewer misses.

Background

Thieneman was a three-star recruit in the state of Indiana, winning the 2022 Indiana Football Coaches Association Mr. Football at defensive back before committing to the Purdue Boilermakers. He was immediately impactful, earning third-team All-American honors and FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2023.

He bested that year in 2024, when he led all Big Ten defensive backs with 104 tackles as a sophomore. Transferred to the Oregon Ducks ahead of the 2025 season, where he was named an All-American by Sporting News.

Player Evaluation

You turn on three years’ worth of tape from Thieneman, and it just gets better and better. After bursting on to the scene as a true freshman in 2023, where he recorded six interceptions, Thieneman then led the Big-10 in tackles in 2024, before doing a little bit of everything for the Ducks in 2025.

You’re betting on instincts and explosion with Thieneman. He may not be elite laterally and challenged in terms of his man coverage projection, but if you need a player who can play the high post, poach the middle as a robber, and align as a box safety for a plus one help in the run game, Thieneman is your guy.