As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, Dillon Thieneman has established himself as a top prospect. After a two-year stint at Purdue, his 2025 season at Oregon solidified him as a projected first-round pick.
On Joel Klatt’s podcast, NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah discussed where Thieneman could land in the draft, pointing to the Oregon safety as a fit for the Dallas Cowboys at No. 12 overall.
Daniel Jeremiah Evaluates Dillon Thieneman as a Top-12 Pick
“The Cowboys have a glaring need in the secondary in its safety position,” Jeremiah said. “I think Thieneman could be the 12th pick in the draft. Tosh Lupoi, whom we’ve just established, loves Thieneman. Along his journey, where was he?
“He was at Alabama in 2014, all the way to 2018. He was a co-DC in 2017. You know who was coaching in that secondary? It was Derrick Ansley. You know who coaches DBs for the Dallas Cowboys right now? Derrick Ansley. That’s why I’ve been saying, I think Thieneman could be the 12th pick in the draft.”
The Cowboys struggled defensively in 2025, allowing 265.94 passing yards per game. That weakness leaves room for a long-term answer at the position, and Thieneman is viewed as a foundational piece for the defense. He finished the season with an 85.3 score in the PFSN College Football Safety Impact Metric.
Ohio State’s Caleb Downs is viewed as the top safety in the class, but Thieneman remains in the discussion. Analyst Ted Nguyen said Thieneman plays with a hybrid skill set, functioning as a traditional safety and a weak-side linebacker, making him valuable in modern defensive schemes.
While Klatt expressed doubt that Thieneman could be drafted ahead of Downs, Jeremiah said several NFL teams rate Thieneman higher in certain evaluations.
“I’ll tell you for a fact, I know some teams have it that way,” Jeremiah said. “I’m telling you some teams have it that way. So I’m not saying they do. And in that scenario, I would have them taking Downs, but if Downs goes 10, goes 11, any of those teams, 10, 11, 12 could all be in that. And look at Kansas City’s picking nine. They’ve got issues in the secondary. So I think that’s the window. I think that 9 to 12. And I wouldn’t be shocked if both those guys are in that 9 to 12 range when it’s all set.”
Draft analyst Trevor Sikkema ranked Thieneman as a top-10 talent. Draft analyst Thor Nystrom said the Oregon safety’s caliber as a multiple-time All-America selection across different schemes, schools, and safety roles is not often seen at the college level.
