The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, where the Chicago Bears got a massive steal with the selection of Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at 25th overall.
Thieneman is a versatile safety who thrives in coverage and downhill against the run. He has elite instincts and playmaking ability that should make him a difference maker in Dennis Allen's defense. Thieneman is the first defender to be selected by the Bears in the first round since linebacker Roquan Smith in 2018 and the safety since Mark Carrier in 1990.
Armed with three Day 2 picks, the Bears have an opportunity to land some impactful contributors for their roster at positions of need, including defensive tackle, edge rusher, cornerback, left tackle and center, among the best remaining players still on the board.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Purdue Boilermakers fumbles a punt in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 13: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks reacts after beating the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Terrance Carter Jr. #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes a catch defended by Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)EUGENE, OREGON - MARCH 17: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks looks on during Oregon Ducks Pro Day at Moshofsky Center on March 17, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) and Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Antonio Stevens (11) tackle Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, during the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.Nov 2, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Joseph Himon II (6) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn ImagesNov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn ImagesOregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks practice on Jan. 5, 2025, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon, ahead of the Peach Bowl.Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman, right, brings down Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.1 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)1 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)2 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images3 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images4 / 195 things to know about new Bears' Dillon ThienemanApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images5 / 19WATCH: Dillon Thieneman gets call from Bears on draft nightPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)6 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)7 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyMADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Purdue Boilermakers fumbles a punt in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)8 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyEVANSTON, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 13: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)9 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetySEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks reacts after beating the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)10 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Terrance Carter Jr. #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes a catch defended by Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)11 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)12 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)13 / 19Bears safety Dillon Thieneman outran Justin Jefferson in 40-yard dashINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)14 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyEUGENE, OREGON - MARCH 17: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks looks on during Oregon Ducks Pro Day at Moshofsky Center on March 17, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)15 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyPurdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) and Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Antonio Stevens (11) tackle Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, during the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.16 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyNov 2, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Joseph Himon II (6) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images17 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyNov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images18 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyOregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks practice on Jan. 5, 2025, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon, ahead of the Peach Bowl.19 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyOregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman, right, brings down Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.Ahead of night two, our Bears Wire staff is taking a crack at predicting what Chicago does with its pair of second rounders and third-round pick.
There are some top edge rushers still on the board, but it's unlikely that T.J. Parker or Zion Young fall to Chicago at No. 57. While Jacas could also be off the board by the time the Bears pick, he could be a trade-up candidate. He's an impressive power rusher with a high football IQ and a wealth of experience. Many believed Jacas could be a late first-round pick, and he has the tools to be an impactful player off the edge. If Jacas somehow manages to fall to the Bears, much like Dillon Thieneman, it would be a massive win for Ryan Poles for the second straight night.
The Bears have to get an edge rusher in the second round, and well in reality, they have to address the defensive line as a whole with their two second round picks. Parker’s inconsistencies at Clemson last year hurt his draft stock, although he was projected to see his name come off the board in the first round. Parker needs to evolve his game at the next level before he can show off his true potential.
It would be shocking if the Bears don’t take an edge with one of their two second round picks. It wouldn’t even be surprising if they used the two pics to move up and get the one of their choice. R Mason Thomas out of Oklahoma is one to consider if they stick with the two that they have later in the round. Adding a guy like Thomas who can make quarterbacks think twice would change the entire outlook of the defense.
Chicago needs to address the defensive line, and at pick No. 57 Jacas who can set the edge in run defense and rush the passer. This past season at Illinois he had 11 sacks back-to-back seasons with 13.0 tackles for loss and has played in 12 or more games each season. The production is there for Jacas and he’d be a player who could compete for playing time in the offseason for Week 1.
Depending on how the board falls, there could be options to shore up the interior defensive line after addressing the edge. While it's unlikely Kayden McDonald falls to the bottom of the second round, Gracen Halton wouldn't be a bad consolation prize. He's got elite speed, a quick get-off and is a threat as an interior pass rusher. The Bears spent free agency adding depth, but Halton could be a key contributor behind Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett.
Sticking with the defensive line, if Chicago is able to land Christen Miller (or Kayden McDonald), they’ll have significantly upgraded their defensive tackle spot. I’ll slot in Miller at this spot, but I would like to predict a very bold trade, in which the Bears move up and grab McDonald, who is quite the shock to still be on the board heading into Friday.
Not only should the Bears think about the edge in the second round, but the interior of the defensive line is important as well. A good player in this spot will help put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but also help stop the run, which is something the Bears need to work on this year. Kayden McDonald out of Ohio State has yet to be selected, but he is sure to go on day two. The Bears are a sensible destination.
This is another pick I see Chicago taking based on the philosophy of best available. Scott is a versatile player with speed, play recognition and a tackling machine. He fits the Chicago Bears’ style of play.
The Bears need to find their center of the future following Drew Dalman's shocking retirement. With newcomer Garrett Bradbury, acquired via trade, under contract for only one season, Chicago needs to have a long-term plan in place. They've shown significant interest in centers this pre-draft process, including most notably Hect, who had a workout with Bears offensive line coach Dan Roushar and assistant offensive line coach Kyle DeVan after his Pro Day. Chicago hasn't hit on third-round picks under Ryan Poles. That should change with Hecht.
A player in which the Bears had meetings and interest early on in the draft process, if they can’t get their hands on the best fit at tackle in the second round, they should certainly target Hecht in the third round. He’s a great fit in Ben Johnson’s offense and is quick to reach the second level at the center position. With Garrett Bradbury on a one-year deal, it would make the most sense for Chicago to bring in a young player who can sit and learn for at least one season.
Can Ben Johnson go two full draft days without using his influence to land a skilled offensive player? It’s hard to see. If Washington WR Denzel Boston is available in the third round, or even any high end playmaker at the position, the Bears may consider such a move. Their WR room is fine as is, but replacing DJ Moore’s production could be on their minds.
Hecht might be the only player Chicago makes a move up for, a guy they really want, and use a little aggression to make a move up and take. Light on his feet, athletic, Hecht can move laterally in the run game and when he locks onto his target with his hands inside pad level is hard to shed off. The way the first round board went it's tough to predict if Hecht will last into the third round, but if he does I expect Chicago to be aggressive.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Predicting the Chicago Bears' Day 2 picks