Dillon Thieneman Scouting Report: A Smart, Versatile Safety Who Could Fit in Dallas
As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for the 2026 NFL Draft, there’s a clear sense that the secondary will be a top priority. While Caleb Downs has rightfully earned the spotlight as the consensus top safety in this class, he’s not the only name worth knowing. This is a strong safety group, and one player steadily climbing into first-round conversations is Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman - a name Cowboys fans might want to get familiar with.
Thieneman, a Purdue transfer who made a major impact in Eugene in 2025, has the type of skillset that defensive coordinators love: smart, experienced, and able to line up just about anywhere in the secondary. Let’s break down what he brings to the table - and why he could be a strong fit in Dallas.
Dillon Thieneman: The Numbers and the Tape
- Height: 6’0 ¼”
- Weight: 205 lbs
- Expected 40 Time: 4.50
- College Career: 39 games | 306 tackles | 10 TFL | 8 INTs | 14 pass deflections | 2 sacks | 2 forced fumbles
Thieneman’s production jumps off the page. Over 300 tackles and eight interceptions across his college career - including a breakout six-pick season in 2023 - show a player who always finds himself around the ball.
But it’s not just the stats. It’s how he racks them up.
He’s been used all over the field: deep safety, box safety, and even in the slot. That kind of versatility is rare, and it’s one of the biggest reasons he’s rising up draft boards. Whether it’s flying downhill to blow up a screen or playing centerfield and reading a quarterback’s eyes, Thieneman shows the kind of instincts that can’t be coached.
And when it comes to tackling, he’s as reliable as they come. His open-field tackling has improved each year, and he rarely lets ball carriers slip away. He’s not the biggest hitter, but he gets the job done - and in today’s NFL, that matters just as much.
Where He Excels
- Versatility: Thieneman can play every safety role - and has. That gives defensive coordinators flexibility to disguise coverages and rotate post-snap.
- Football IQ: He diagnoses plays quickly, especially screens and short routes, and reacts without hesitation.
- Ball Skills: Eight career interceptions, with several coming in high-leverage situations, show a player who knows how to finish plays.
- Consistency: A three-year starter who improved each season, he brings a steady, ascending trajectory to the next level.
Where He Needs to Improve
While Thieneman checks a lot of boxes, he’s not a perfect prospect. His tackling form is solid, but he’s not a thumper. He tends to drag ball carriers down rather than stop them in their tracks, and that lack of pop shows up when he’s asked to fight through blocks - especially against tight ends in space.
He also isn’t a rare athlete. He’s fast enough and fluid enough, but he’s not going to blow anyone away with his raw measurables. That could limit his upside in pure man coverage against elite NFL slot receivers or tight ends with high-end athleticism.
In short, Thieneman is a high-floor player - but maybe not one with an All-Pro ceiling.
NFL Comparison: Xavier McKinney (Green Bay Packers)
Thieneman’s game draws a natural comparison to Xavier McKinney. Like McKinney, he’s a do-it-all safety who thrives on versatility and football intelligence. McKinney may not be a perennial Pro Bowler, but he’s a rock-solid starter who elevates a defense by being in the right place at the right time - and that’s exactly the type of impact Thieneman could have at the next level.
How He Fits with the Dallas Cowboys
New defensive coordinator Christian Parker is expected to value versatility and mental sharpness in his secondary - and Thieneman fits that mold to a tee. He’s the type of player who could step in and contribute right away, especially in a safety room that could use a reliable complement to Malik Hooker.
With Thieneman’s experience in multiple alignments, Parker could use him in a variety of looks - two-high shells, single-high, or even as a nickel defender. That gives Dallas the kind of schematic flexibility they’ve lacked at times in recent years.
The question is whether the Cowboys would pull the trigger at pick No. 20.
That might be a bit rich, depending on how the board falls. But if Dallas trades back or finds themselves picking in the late first or early second round, Thieneman becomes a very real option.
Draft Projection: Late Round 1
Thieneman isn’t the flashiest prospect in this safety class, and he’s not going to test off the charts. But he’s a steady, smart, and versatile player who can start right away and help stabilize a secondary. In a league that increasingly demands safeties who can wear multiple hats, Thieneman brings real value.
Expect him to come off the board somewhere between picks 20 and 40 - and don’t be surprised if he’s making plays for a playoff contender by Week 1.