All articles tagged with #dillon thieneman
The Chicago Bears’ first non-contact rookie minicamp featured their initial three picks—safety Dillon Thieneman, offensive lineman Logan Jones and tight end Sam Roush—speaking with the media about adjusting to the NFL, learning the new scheme, and the mindset of competing for playing time as they begin their careers at Halas Hall.
Chicago’s 2026 draft yielded three ESPN top-100 selections: safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 25 overall (No. 11 on Matt Miller’s list), corner Malik Muhammad (No. 124; No. 46) and linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (No. 166; No. 81), giving the Bears a strengthened secondary and faster linebacker group. Day 2 picks Logan Jones, Sam Roush and Zavion Thomas drew mixed reactions and left questions about the lack of early defensive-line selections, though the class could still produce immediate contributors and depth under GM Ryan Poles.
After the 2026 NFL Draft, Chicago Bears’ instant grades were unexpectedly positive, led by first-round safety Dillon Thieneman (No. 25) whose speed and versatility drew praise from outlets like The Sporting News (A) while ESPN and Yahoo! gave solid B marks and others like CBS Sports and The Ringer weighed in with B‑ to B‑ grades. The analysis highlighted a speed- and athleticism-focused class, with Poles adding a mix of contributors such as Logan Jones, Malik Muhammad, Zavion Thomas, and Jordan van den Berg, while not addressing edge or tackle needs until late. The piece notes the draft’s potential upside and the challenge of seeing how the rookies perform once the season begins, but overall suggests a refreshing, optimistic view of Chicago’s 2026 haul.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Chicago Bears a B for the 2026 NFL Draft, praising Dillon Thieneman as a versatile, value pick and Logan Jones as a potential long-term center, while criticizing later selections like Sam Roush and Zavion Thomas and noting the team didn’t address edge rusher or defensive tackle early; overall the grade sits in the middle (roughly C to B‑), despite strong Day 1 impressions.
ESPN analyst Matt Miller predicts Chicago's 2026 rookie class could be the core to a Super Bowl run in five years, with picks like Dillon Thieneman, Logan Jones, Sam Roush, Malik Muhammad and Zavion Thomas adding speed, protection for Caleb Williams, and a stronger defense and offensive line under coach Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles.
Chicago’s seven-player 2026 draft includes S Dillon Thieneman in Round 1, C Logan Jones in Round 2, TE Sam Roush and WR Zavion Thomas in Round 3, CB Malik Muhammad in Round 4, LB Keyshaun Elliott in Round 5, and DT Jordan van den Berg in Round 6. Grades from outlets ranged from A- to C, with many praising Thieneman’s versatility and Jones as a steady long-term center, while criticizing the team for delaying edge rush/defensive-line help after trading DJ Moore. The class is viewed as valuable depth and fit for a stronger secondary and run game, rather than an immediate impact on the defensive front.
Dillon Thieneman credits his family for fueling his love of football, from a four‑year‑old dreaming on TV to learning the game from his brothers Jake and Brennan, who played safety at Purdue. After stints at Purdue and Oregon, he impressed at the NFL Combine and was drafted 25th overall by the Chicago Bears in 2026, with the Bears praising his speed and versatility as he transitions to the NFL under a no‑sugarcoating coaching approach similar to his college experience.
Chicago used the 25th pick to select Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, filling a starting-safety need with a versatile defender who could compete for a starting role in Dennis Allen’s defense. Across major outlets, the pick drew high grades (A’s and strong marks), with analysts praising his playmaking, coverage ability, and fit.
Mock drafts heavily linked Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman to the Vikings at No. 18, but Minnesota shocked many by selecting Florida DT Caleb Banks, causing Thieneman to slip to 25 and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to still be available. Analysts say safeties are often overvalued in early rounds compared to how teams actually value the position, prompting the Vikings to address safety later in the draft while prioritizing defensive tackle at 18. This pattern echoes past drafts where consensus safety hype didn’t translate into first-round picks, as teams pursue production and traits at other positions.
New Bears defensive back Dillon Thieneman, the No. 25 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, describes the life-changing moment of getting the call from GM Ryan Poles, walking the draft stage, meeting his longtime trainer, and connecting with Bears fans, while vowing to earn the team’s respect and contribute right away.
The Chicago Bears selected Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the 25th pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. A durable, versatile defender who split college time between Purdue and Oregon, Thieneman totaled 306 tackles and earned All-American honors, with playmaking ability in coverage and run support that should let him start beside Coby Bryant in Chicago’s secondary.
The Chicago Bears used the 25th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, aiming to upgrade a defense that slipped to the bottom league-wide after losing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Thieneman, who transferred from Purdue to Oregon, posted 96 tackles, seven passes defensed and two interceptions in his final season and will compete to start opposite Coby Bryant as the Bears continue to seek pass-rush help.
Chicago selected Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Thieneman appeared in 39 games across Purdue and Oregon, recording 306 tackles, 8 interceptions and 14 pass breakups, with NFL analyst Lance Zierlein highlighting his size, speed and versatility for multiple safety roles.
With the draft just over 24 hours away, Minnesota holds the No. 18 pick as buzz swirls about targeting Dillon Thieneman, Peter Woods, or Caleb Banks; league chatter expects a run on offensive linemen early, which could pressure Minnesota’s plan, while Todd McShay’s rankings and trade chatter (including Jonathan Greenard’s value) keep a back‑up option or a trade-back scenario in play.
With Carolina holding the 19th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, mock projections vary on the best fit, highlighting safety and tight end as key needs as the Panthers look to complement Bryce Young. Dillon Thieneman and Kenyon Sadiq appear among the top targets, while some outlets also cite Emmanuel McNeil-Warren as a versatile safety option, signaling a debate between strengthening the defense and adding playmakers on offense.