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Bears' Dillon Thieneman ranked just outside of ESPN's top-10 best picks of 2026 NFL Draft
TL;DR
Dillon Thieneman was selected by the Chicago Bears as the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN ranked him just outside the top-10 best picks, placing him 11th overall.
Key points
- Dillon Thieneman was selected 25th overall by the Bears.
- He was ranked 11th in ESPN's top-100 picks for the 2026 NFL Draft.
- The Bears had significant needs in the safety position.
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Bears' Dillon Thieneman ranked just outside of ESPN's top-10 best picks of 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Bears came into the 2026 NFL Draft with a few needs on both sides of the ball, with offensive line, defensive line, and the safety room as the clear top needs.
Leading up to the draft, Chicago's safety position was typically resolved on Day 2. But in the actual draft, Dillon Thieneman slid down the board and was a complete steal at No. 25 overall.
ESPN's Matt Miller ranked the top-100 best selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, and this pick from the Bears of Thieneman was ranked just outside of the top-10 best picks at 11th overall.
Bears' pick of Dillon Thieneman ranked 11th best of NFL Draft
"GM Ryan Poles added Coby Bryant in free agency, but safety was a glaring hole we knew would get addressed in the draft, too," Miller writes. What we didn't know was that Thieneman would slip to them at no. 25."
Being able to stick and pick and get Thieneman was something that, before the draft, seemed impossible. He had been routinely mocked well ahead of the 25th pick.
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The Minnesota Vikings at No. 18 and the Carolina Panthers at No. 19 overall were two teams strongly linked to Thieneman. And the and at No. 20 and No. 23 overall also could've gone Thieneman.
Q&A
Why was Dillon Thieneman's draft pick significant for the Bears?
Dillon Thieneman's selection was significant because he addressed the Bears' pressing needs in the safety position, which was a key focus for the team during the draft.
What was Dillon Thieneman's ranking in ESPN's 2026 NFL Draft picks?
Dillon Thieneman was ranked 11th overall in ESPN's list of the top-100 best selections for the 2026 NFL Draft.
What position does Dillon Thieneman play for the Chicago Bears?
Dillon Thieneman plays as a safety for the Chicago Bears.
