Our Chicago Bears mock draft stories will certainly look different this year, that much we know. Because unlike previous seasons where we have been looking at what prospects land in the top-10, Chicago’s pick isn’t until No. 25.
Regardless of where the Bears are at on draft night, NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah sharing his first 2026 NFL Mock Draft will always grab my attention. And when it comes to the pick he sends to Chicago, my interest is definitely piqued.
Because with the No. 25 pick in Jeremiah’s first 2026 NFL Draft, he sends Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman to the Bears. That probably isn’t the name or position you were expecting. But let’s discuss the potential fit as we put Thieneman’s name on our draft radar.
© Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesBears mock draft posts between now and when the 2026 NFL Draft opens its doors in 86 days figure to have a focus on the defensive side of things. Given what we know about this team’s roster construction and needs, I fully expect for the defensive line to be an area where pundits, draftniks, insiders, and analysts will make connections to possible Bears targets and fits. However, seeing one league insider’s latest mock draft suggesting Chicago could look at upgrading a different part of the defense made my head turn.
Here is what NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein has to say about Dillon Thieneman, whose pro comparison in his eyes is Jevon Holland:
Savvy three-year starter with NFL size, speed and alignment versatility. Thieneman is an extension of his defensive coordinator, aligning and adjusting the secondary to motion and pre-snap shifts. He’s an instinctive, rangy safety who can roll down into big nickel or robber positioning. He has a good feel for play design and route concepts in zone but has average change of direction to match breaks in man. He’s not a big thumper near the line, but he rushes into the action with a relentless pursuit that should allow him to keep stacking high scores in the tackle columns. Thieneman checks important boxes for teams looking to add versatile playmakers in the secondary.
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I’ve seen Daniel Jeremiah get roasted in social media posts for his pick sending Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman to the Chicago Bears. And while I wouldn’t necessarily love the selection, I don’t necessarily hate it. Frankly, it is too early in the Bears mock draft process to feel too strongly one way or another about a prospect. That is a trap we should probably avoid. Instead, this time of year (and mocks like the one Jeremiah shares) should be about gathering names of potential fits and prospects who could be possibly on the clock when Chicago goes on the clock with its pick. Information gathering season is upon us!
Bears Mock Draft: Should Chicago Target Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman?
The more I’ve thought about DJ’s pick for the Bears, the more I found myself wanting to push back against some of the criticisms of the selection because some of the ones I read came off as short-sighted. With that in mind, let’s read through Jeremiah’s explanation of the pick:
The Bears figure to be in the safety market with the contracts expiring for Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Thieneman can play both safety spots and could cover in the slot if needed.
Jeremiah’s assessment of Dillon Thieneman as a fit with this Bears mock draft pick is logically sound. Unless something unexpected happens via free agency or trade, Chicago’s football team will be in the market for safety help because All-Pro Kevin Byard, four-year starter Jaquan Brisker, in-season signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and reserve Jonathan Owens are all on the brink of hitting free agency. So if this front office can find a plug-and-play starter at safety late in the first round, then I don’t think it would be the worst thing in the world.
© Mike Dinovo-Imagn ImagesThe defensive secondary could see some significant changes this offseason. Chicago could conceivably need to fill two safety spots by the time the 2026 NFL Draft rolls around. And with Kyler Gordon’s injury history being what it is, snagging a safety who can drop down and play the slot cornerback role in a pinch wcould be a nice get.
BEARS MOCK DRAFT ALERT: CHICAGO ADDS TO DEFENSIVE LINE
One last thing about this Bears mock draft pick selection. There is just one defensive linemen who goes off the board in the seven picks that Daniel Jeremiah makes after he sends Thieneman to the Bears. And I wonder if that is a sign that there will be a run on that position before Chicago goes on the clock. If that is how things unfold on NFL Draft night, I hope the Bears are prepared to take the best available player on the board.
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