Thieneman has shown a lot of high end play over the course of his college career no matter where he has lined up. That versatility will be valuable to any professional team, with his ability to fit on to a lot of schemes in a variety of roles. He is not slacking in the athleticism department either, as he is expected to test very well as a Feldman Freak.
Thieneman was ranked 51st on the initial Top 100 Big Board with a Round 2 Grade and I’m sticking to that grade (though his overall placement is likely to change). He still needs work on a little more consistency in the mental side of the game, but the gaffes aren’t that common. But between his tackling reliability, ball skills, backpedal and smooth hips, high end athleticism for range and pursuit, competitiveness and leadership, all while being able to line up nearly anywhere in the defensive backfield; Thieneman feels like one of the safer picks of the draft.
That isn’t to imply that there isn’t a high ceiling for him either, the potential for him is high as well. Expect this former Boilermaker & Duck to make an impact quickly in the NFL. If he were to land with the Colts, the Westfield High School alum coming home to play for the Colts would likely be a dream come true. Being able to play alongside Cam Bynum would be a wonderful boon, as Bynum also has strong versatility and a high football IQ to help to mentor and fine tune Thieneman’s instincts. The amount of playmaking, interchangeability, reliability, athletic range, and overall strong vibes of fun and leadership that pair could bring to the Colts Defense is very tempting to pair.
While Safety might not be the top need for the Colts to address in 2026, starter Nick Cross and backup Rodney Thomas II are Free Agents with expiring rookie deals. Backups Hunter Wohler and Daniel Scott have had struggles in staying healthy. The position will need to be addressed in someway in the offseason. Should the Colts prioritize addressing other needs in Free Agency or the board doesn’t fall right to address other top needs like Defensive Line or Linebacker, adding Thieneman in Round 2 could be a strong pivot to secure the defensive backfield. Safety is a crucial position in the Lou Anarumo scheme with all of the pre-snap disguises and post snap coverage shifts, so Football IQ and communication are essential on the field in the back end of the Defense. Having a duo of Thieneman and Bynum together could go a long way in the rebuild of the Colts Defense.