Full Breakdown
Bears Draft Safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 25
4/25/2026, 10:53:04 AM
Core Decision: First-Round Selection
On April 24, 2026, the Bears used the 25th pick to draft Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, filling the vacancy left by Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker and pairing him with free-agent Coby Bryant.
Background & Context
Chicago’s 2025 defense led the league in takeaways (33) and interceptions (23) but ranked second-to-last in sacks. The team has not taken a safety in the first round since 1990 and no defensive player since 2018. Speed and versatility were priorities.
Data & Statistics
Thieneman logged 306 tackles, eight interceptions, 11 pass break-ups and two sacks in 39 games; his final season produced 95 tackles, two interceptions, five pass deflections and a sack, earning second-team All-American honors. At the Combine he ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash (11th fastest) and posted a 41-inch vertical. His Relative Athletic Score ranks in the top 97 percent of strong-safety prospects since 1987.
Official Statements & Responses
GM Ryan Poles said Thieneman “has the ability to come in and compete for a starting role” and that the pick matched the “need and best player available” sequence, noting his versatility and football character. Dennis Allen called him a “Swiss-army-knife” piece for the defense, and Poles noted Ben Johnson’s body language showed excitement about the player’s style.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts such as CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports questioned whether the Bears should have used the pick on an edge rusher. Expert grades varied: NFL.com and USA Today gave an A, CBS Sports a B, Yahoo Sports a B-, while The Athletic and Pro Football Focus assigned A+ and Elite grades. Mock drafts often placed Thieneman later than the 25th slot.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The spread of grades shows no consensus on the pick’s value. Some view Thieneman as a “steal,” while others argue Chicago missed a chance to bolster the pass rush. No definitive projection exists on his immediate effect on sack production.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Obviously the D-line helps the back end more often than not,” — Ryan Poles, GM
- “Thieneman can do it all for the Bears — he’s a hitter, can cover anyone … This is a big-time win for GM Ryan Poles, and it’s my favorite pick of the first round.” — Scott Dochterman, The Athletic
- “Versatility. Football character. I mean really checked every box along the way. He goes to the combine, he blows it up. He matches what he shows on film. You get a chance to meet him, talk to him at the combine, and he is an all-football guy. Everything that you felt when you met him matched what the school said - both Purdue and Oregon. So it was just one of those deals where he checked every single box, and there were really by the end of the process, no question about him. Obviously, it lined up.” — Breck Ackley, Senior Scout
- “ FOX Sports: A Rob Rang: "Thieneman is a steal at this point in the first round.” — Mike Moraitis, Onsi
Why It Matters
Thieneman’s 4.35-second 40-yard dash and coverage skill address the Bears’ need for a faster safety to complement Bryant. His ability to play the box, deep coverage, or nickel adds flexibility to Dennis Allen’s scheme and may improve turnover generation.
What’s Next
Chicago holds second-round picks No. 57 and No. 60 and a third-round pick No. 89 to target edge rushers. Thieneman will enter training camp competing for the starting safety spot, and his performance will shape the Bears’ defensive strategy for 2026.
