Oregon's dynamic safety Dillon Thieneman electrifies with combine-tested athleticism, potentially fortifying the Cowboys' struggling secondary in the upcoming draft.
The Dallas Cowboys' defense took a major step back in 2025, and it was a big reason for them missing the playoffs for the second straight season.
As a result, Jerry Jones and the rest of the team could look to improve that side of the ball through the 2026 NFL Draft, as this year's class is very impressive.
In the most recent mock draft by PFF's Trevor Sikkema following the NFL Draft Combine, he thinks the Cowboys should take safety Dillon Thieneman out of Oregon to help the team's ailing secondary.
"There was pre-combine talk of what Thieneman was capable of athletically, and he proved it all correct in Indianapolis," Sikkema writes. "A 4.35-second 40-yard dash with a 41-inch vertical jump at 6 feet and 201 pounds verified the athletic ability of a player who shows incredible range in both coverage and run defense."
The Cowboys allowed the most passing yards in the entire NFL this past season, so that should be one of the things at the top of the priority list for the team in the upcoming draft.
Originally beginning his college career at Purdue before transferring to Oregon this past season, Thieneman has compiled an impressive resume that includes near-constant presence around the football and an ability to impact both run and pass defense.
He racked up 96 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and even had a sack at the safety position. The 21-year-old defensive back was also able to show his ball-hawk skills with five passes defended and a pair of interceptions.
Not to mention that he tallied over 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons in college at Purdue.
For a Cowboys defense that struggled to consistently contain explosive offenses last season, adding a player like Thieneman could be a real difference-maker. He brings versatility that would help new defensive coordinator Christian Parker implement a more flexible unit.
If this projection holds, the Cowboys - who have first-round picks at 12 and 20 - could be addressing a long-standing need while adding one of the most polished, productive defensive backs in the 2026 class ... a prospect capable of elevating the defense from Day 1.