Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry needs to address some offensive roster holes in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
But with the Browns holding two first-round picks, possibly three if Berry trades out of the No. 6 overall selection, the focus could shift to the defensive side of the ball as the hours tick by on Thursday night.
Berry recently pointed out how teams are now employing three safeties more often, especially if they have what Berry referred to as “hybrid defenders.”
Depending
on how the middle part of the first round plays out, Berry may be tempted to add that third safety in Oregon’s versatile Dillon Thieneman.
Name: Dillon Thieneman
Position: Safety
Height/Weight: 6-foot, 201 pounds
College: Oregon Ducks
2025 Defensive Stats: 15 games, 96 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defensed
Career Defensive Stats: 39 games, 306 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 8 interceptions, 14 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles
Average “Big Board” Position as of Publishing Date from Mock Draft Database: 18th overall, projected first round
The Draft Network’s Grade/Round Value: Round 1 – Pro Bowl Caliber
What an Expert is Saying
Savvy three-year starter with NFL size, speed, and alignment versatility. Thieneman is an extension of his defensive coordinator, aligning and adjusting the secondary to motion and pre-snap shifts. He’s an instinctive, rangy safety who can roll down into big nickel or robber positioning. He has a good feel for play design and route concepts in zone, but has average change of direction to match breaks in man. He’s not a big thumper near the line, but he rushes into the action with a relentless pursuit that should allow him to keep stacking high scores in the tackle columns. Thieneman checks important boxes for teams looking to add versatile playmakers in the secondary.
What an Expert is Saying (Bonus Round):
A one-year starter at Oregon (and three-year starter overall), Thieneman was a hybrid safety in former defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi’s scheme and wore a variety of hats (deep middle, robber, nickel, etc.). A productive post-safety at Purdue for two seasons, he transferred to Eugene for his junior season and earned a 2025 All-America nod for the Ducks, with both of his interceptions clinching victories late in a game (Penn State and Washington). He collected more than 300 combined tackles in three college seasons and averaged 7.9 tackles per start.
With his open-field athleticism, Thieneman has a lot to offer in the NFL because of his versatility, making plays over the top in coverage or downhill versus the run. He shows impressive range and anticipation from the deep half of the field, as well as the intelligence to understand what opponents are trying to do. Although he doesn’t always play up to his testing numbers, he can guard both sidelines and sort through routes. He can clean up some things in the run game, too — he has a nose for the ball and doesn’t hesitate flying to the contact point.
Thieneman reminds me of Justin Reid because of his scheme-friendly recognition skills and eagerness to get busy as a run defender. He projects as a durable NFL starter and has versatility that should appeal to a variety of defensive structures.
Fit with the Browns
The Browns are set at one safety position with Grant Delpit, and while they tendered restricted free agent Ronnie Hickman, it was only for one year, which does not scream “you are our guy long term.”
With teams increasing their use of three safeties, finding a versatile player like Thieneman would seemingly be on the team’s radar, especially when the Browns are on the clock later in the first round.
Browns Player Drafting Could Impact
Christopher Edmonds, Donovan McMillon, and Daniel Thomas would all be on the list of safeties sweating from more than the summer heat in training camp and the preseason.
Priority: Medium-high
What are your thoughts on Dillon Thieneman? Do the Browns need to add another safety with a high draft pick? Let us know in the comments!
