The early buzz around two former Oregon Ducks rookies is already rolling in, even if one of them had to take a detour before he could get started.
Kenyon Sadiq and Dillon Thieneman, both first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, landed in situations that clearly fit their skill sets. The New York Jets added a tight end who can move all over the formation and threaten defenses as a pass-catcher, while the Chicago Bears brought in a safety who can work deep or come down near the line of scrimmage. From a coaching standpoint, both looked like the kind of players you can build plans around.
Sadiq’s path, though, hit a snag before rookie minicamp and OTAs even really got going. He had hernia surgery after dealing with an injury he suffered with the Ducks and played through.
ESPN’s Rich Cimmini noted, "The Jets said they were aware of it during the predraft process," and added, "He's expected to be ready for training camp, but he will be behind. OC Frank Reich has a plan for Sadiq, whom he envisions as a mismatch because of his speed and explosiveness."
That kind of usage would make sense in an offense that already has Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall in the mix. With Reich bringing decades of coaching experience from both the college and pro levels, the Jets have plenty of ways to get creative, no matter who ends up playing quarterback.
Thieneman, meanwhile, has been making his case in Chicago during a spring where the Bears were trying to shore up a defense that allowed the 25th-most passing yards per game. He joined a group of offseason additions that included former Seattle Seahawk Coby Bryant, and Bryant was quick to highlight what stands out about the rookie.
"Once he sees something he recognizes, he makes a play right away," Bryant said. "That's the biggest thing, especially playing safety in this defense as well.
He's had a great spring. I know he'll continue to grow."
Veteran Elijah Hicks, entering his fifth season after arriving as a seventh-round pick out of Cal, is the early favorite to start at safety alongside Bryant. Still, Thieneman has enough going for him to make this a real competition once training camp opens and the season gets underway.
For both rookies, the first impression has been a positive one. That hardly comes as a shock for a pair of former Ducks, especially with so many Oregon alumni continuing to find success around the league.
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