Oregon's coach praises Jadon Canady's NFL-ready versatility. The talented defensive back promises to be a draft steal for any team seeking a playmaker.
Of the nine Oregon players that went to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, in February, only three were defenders.
The Ducks offense usually gets the headlines coming out of Eugene, though the defense is stocked with plenty of league talent.
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman has got a of attention as a top defender for the team, but other members of the secondary deserve some attention before the 2026 NFL Draft later this month.
Ducks nickel Jadon Canady could be a steal in the upcoming draft. He had a great final season at Oregon, recording 39 tackles, two interceptions, six passes defensed and one forced fumble in 2025.
Like Thieneman, Canady transferred to Oregon. He pilade at Tulane and Ole Miss before finishing with the Ducks.
Lanning told Adam Rittenberg of ESPN that Canady has the versatility to play multiple positions in the NFL.
"I don't know where he falls in the draft, but I know whatever team gets him, they'll be really excited," Lanning said.
"He's a guy who played corner, played nickel for us, played safety, so his versatility, his intelligence, he has some of those separating factors that you look for, for guys who can play for a while."
During the combine, Canady argued he was ready to play multiple positions for an NFL team in Year 1. He thinks he'd be valuable as a nickelback in the league.
"Covering the slot is one of the things that a lot of DBs can't do," Canady said, via 247 Sports. "I think most of them now are trying to find an elite slot defender, because most teams put their best guy with space in the slot."
"It's hard to cover a guy who's 4.3, who can cut on a dime, who can run great routes. I feel like the better receivers are going towards the slot to get the ball more… Teams will start looking more for nickel defenders to build those elite corps around the defense."
Canady's transfer experience could be a benefit for a team looking to draft him this offseason. He's proven capable of excelling in new defenses.
While the nickel might be his preferred position, Canady has the tools to fill in all over the secondary. He'll be an intriguing pickup for a team in Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft.