The initial reactions to the Chicago Bears’ selection of Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft are overwhelmingly positive.
And understandably so, I’d like to add.
Dillon Thieneman is a quality safety prospect who played at a high level at Purdue and Oregon. And with the Bears needing to fill a void in the starting lineup next to free-agent addition Coby Bryant, Thieneman was often sent to Chicago in numerous mock drafts. But not only did the Bears check a box by drafting Thieneman, but they did so in a way that resulted in being showered with praise. Heck, ESPN’s Matt Miller called the team’s selection of Thieneman the best pick of the night.
More from Miller:
No one thought Thieneman would get past the Vikings at No. 18, but he slipped and the Bears were smart to patiently wait and select him to be the new free safety next to enforcer Coby Bryant. The Bears are a team with legitimate Super Bowl hopes, and Thieneman’s versatility and alignment flexibility are perfect for what coordinator Dennis Allen wants to do defensively.
The Bears making the best pick in a given draft class isn’t something I’m used to seeing. When I see it, my immediate reaction is to share it with the world. Chicago’s football team being widely applauded for a decision on NFL Draft weekend is the type of thing that makes me want to scream about it from the rooftops — but in the best way possible. Chicago has a new safety. His name is Dillon Thieneman. And respected football people seem to like the pick.
Dillon Thieneman at Oregon. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images2026 NFL Draft: Grading the Dillon Thieneman Pick
It isn’t just ESPN’s Matt Miller lobbing bouquets of kind words in the Bears’ general direction for using their first-round pick on Dillon Thieneman.
Carter Bahns, CBS Sports: The Bears had not taken a defensive player in the first round since 2018, which was the longest stretch of any team. The expectation was that the streak would end, but the question was whether they would address the defensive front or continue to rebuild their secondary after a free-agent exodus. The latter came to fruition when Dillon Thieneman was available to them at No. 25. He is a Day 1 starter for a team with a hole at safety. GRADE: B. Mike Renner, CBS Sports: Thieneman is exactly the kind of player the Bears were looking for this offseason: a deep safety with range. Thieneman had eight picks and 11 pass-breakups in his college career to go along with 4.35 speed. He’ll be a Day 1 starter for Chicago. GRADE: B. Pro Football Focus: Thieneman didn’t often make it to Chicago in mock drafts, but the Bears will certainly be happy he was available here. Thieneman earned 89.0-plus PFF grades on multiple defenses — 2023 with Purdue and 2025 with Oregon — and can cover, defend the run and bring high-end athleticism. Given that the Bears came into this draft with a clear need at safety, this is an ideal scenario for Dennis Allen’s defense. GRADE: Elite. (Note: Only two prospects earned the highly coveted “elite” grade from PFF in Round 1.) Dillon Thieneman at Oregon. © Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: Takeaways and a dynamic secondary were at the center of the Bears’ defensive push last season. Yet after signing Coby Bryant and now drafting Thieneman, Chicago now looks even more formidable at safety. Thieneman flew under the radar a bit until a breakout performance at the combine, but he can handle a variety of coverage assignments. The interceptions might not trickle in as easily as they did during his freshman season at Purdue, but Thieneman shouldn’t take long to establish his playmaker credentials. GRADE: A-minus. Rob Rang, FOX Sports: Thieneman is a steal at this point in the first round. He is among the cleanest players in this class, offering terrific instincts, speed and ball skills. As high as I am on Caleb Downs, I don’t think there was that much of a difference between the two. I love how the Bears have upgraded the coverage skills at safety with this selection of Thieneman and the free-agent addition of Coby Bryant. GRADE: A.If Dillon Thieneman lives up to the lofty expectations that come with these grades, I think Bears fans will look back at the selection with no regrets about what could have been had the team gone in a different direction.
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