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Oregon Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL combine.
The Chicago Bears remain one of the more intriguing teams to watch heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, and one name keeps surfacing in connection with their first-round pick.
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman continues to be linked to Chicago at No. 25 overall. Multiple analysts view him as both a scheme fit and one of the best values in the class.
In a recent mock draft from Lance Zierlein, the Bears were projected to land Thieneman, who he described as “an instinctive safety with explosive athleticism and the versatility to help disguise coverages and change the picture post-snap for the quarterback.”
That combination has led to growing belief that if he’s still on the board, Chicago won’t hesitate. Some evaluators have gone a step further, suggesting the Bears should “pounce” given both his upside and positional value.
According to @MoveTheSticks some teams have Emannuel McNeil-Warren or Dillon Thieneman as the top safety on their draft boards over Caleb Downs. Three top Safeties in this draft – and a good chance the Chicago Bears land one. #NFLDraft
Thieneman Checks Every Box for Bears’ Defense
From a roster standpoint, the fit is easy to understand.
The Bears entered the offseason with major questions at safety after moving on from veterans Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. This created a clear opening for a long-term solution.
While the addition of Coby Bryant helps stabilize the room, there’s still a need for a true difference-maker on the back end.
That’s where Thieneman stands out.
At 6-foot, 207 pounds, he brings the size and range to line up all over the formation.
He’s not just a deep safety either. His tape shows the ability to roll into the box, play robber, or handle coverage responsibilities depending on the call. That type of versatility is exactly what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen values, especially in a system that relies on disguising looks and forcing quarterbacks into hesitation.
His production backs it up.
Thieneman posted massive numbers across his college career, including a breakout freshman season at Purdue with over 100 tackles and multiple interceptions before continuing that level of play after transferring to Oregon.
He’s consistently around the football, and his instincts show up on a down-to-down basis.
The Chicago Bears shore up an important need on defense in Lance Zierlein’s latest 2026 mock draft.
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‘Steal of the Draft’ Buzz Comes With Some Risk for Bears
The intrigue, however, comes down to where he ultimately lands.
While Chicago has been heavily linked to Thieneman at No. 25, there’s no guarantee he makes it that far. Some projections have him coming off the board inside the top 20, which would force the Bears to either pivot or consider moving up.
At the same time, the “steal of the draft” label isn’t without minor concerns.
Evaluators have noted that his change-of-direction in man coverage can be average, and he can struggle at times disengaging from blocks against bigger bodies. Those aren’t necessarily deal-breakers. However, they are part of the overall evaluation that the Bears will have to weigh carefully.
Still, for a team like Chicago, the upside may outweigh the risk. With a clear need in the secondary and a coaching staff that prioritizes versatility, Thieneman checks too many boxes to ignore.
If he’s available when the Bears are on the clock, all signs point to Ryan Poles pulling the trigger.
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