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“The Panthers would like to find an athletic, rangy safety to patrol the back end of Ejiro Evero’s defense while Tre’von Moehrig causes havoc in the box,” explained Person. “Thieneman picked off six passes as a freshman at Purdue, then had two interceptions last year during his only season at Oregon. Thieneman’s stock soared after an impressive combine, highlighted by a 4.35-second 40 that was the fourth fastest among safeties.”
Along with those combined eight picks, the 6’1”, 201-pound defensive back finished with 106, 104, and 96 tackles, respectively, in three seasons with the team. There were also a pair of forced fumbles, two sacks, and 14 passes defensed.
S Dillon Thieneman could be an ideal addition to Ejiro Evero’s defense
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NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein had this breakdown of the University of Oregon defender. “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,” added Zierlein, “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.”
Panthers need more from the back end of their defense
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