Post Combine, How Many Ducks Could We See Go in the First-Round

Every year, when the NFL Combine rolls around, we see the stock of future draftees rise and fall based on their performances. Some players are so good that their draft status is untouchable, but for many, it can make or break how they're viewed. 

For the University of Oregon, many of their players came into this draft process already viewed rather favorably, as they were one of the most dominant teams in the sport last season. Although they ultimately fell short of a National Championship victory, their overall success speaks for itself. 

If quarterback Dante Moore had declared for the NFL Draft this year, he would have surely been not just a first-round pick, but likely a top-three pick. Luckily for Oregon fans, he will indeed be back next year, though.  

With two Ducks having stellar days, they've all but assured that they'd be day one selections, but have the performances of any other University of Oregon alumni vaulted them up the draft board? 

Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq most certainly falls under the 'was already a surefire first-round pick' category. He has an NFL-ready frame, and among TEs, he finished first in receiving touchdowns and fifth in receiving yards. 

His production was NFL caliber, but his combine performance put him over the top. He put up ridiculous numbers that were on par with some of the NFL's best athletes, past and present. 

His performance on Friday took him from a first-round pick to possibly a top-10 pick, as teams in the last few years have seen just how much of a difference maker a talented rookie TE can be. 

Like Sadiq, Dillon Thieneman was almost assuredly a first-round pick coming into this weekend, but he did nothing but boost his stock. 

According to PFF's 2026 Big Board and many others, they had Thieneman ranked as the second-best safety in the draft, right after Ohio State's Caleb Downs, who is viewed as one of the best players in the entire draft.

 Last season at Oregon, Thieneman was a Second-Team All-American and a First-Team All-Big Ten selection. He finished with 92 total tackles, 2 INTs, 5 passes defended, and 1 sack. 

As good as he was at Oregon, his performance in Indianapolis was simply outstanding. He ran a 4.35 forty-yard dash (4th among safeties), had a 41'' vertical (2nd among safeties), and had one of the most fluid DB drill sessions. 

Look for Thieneman to be a mid to late first-round selection on draft day. 

Oregon's Emmanuel Pregnon is the fringe first-rounder on this list. As an offensive lineman, it's a bit more difficult to pop at the combine, but he was still able to shine. 

Outside of the vertical jump, where he recorded the second-highest jump with 35'', it was a fairly average testing stage for Pregnon. Where he really succeeded, similarly to Thieneman, was in the individual drills. 

Funny enough, Pregnon actually scored identically to Thieneman in both NFL Combine Grade (6.42) and NFL Next Gen Draft Score (81). 

If Pregnon does become a first-round pick, it will likely be with one of the final picks of the day, but don't be surprised if it happens, because his stock has certainly risen. 

Ducks Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Oregon Ducks. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.