The 2026 NFL Draft is nearing on April 23, and the Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock at No. 10 with a chance to land a player who can contribute right away and help end their playoff drought.
Nonetheless, the bigger question is which direction they go, offense or defense, and what position they prioritize. That decision is still up in the air, but Cincinnati has recently been named one of five teams viewed as a strong fit for former Oregon Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman.
While the Bengals are named a fit Thieneman, NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes that the Cowboys should be all over the 21-year-old.
“The Cowboys have a glaring need in the secondary, and it’s the safety position,” Jeremiah said in an April 13 video from “The Joel Klatt Show.” “I think Thieneman could be the 12th pick in the draft… If [Caleb] Downs goes 10, or 11, any of those teams at 10, 11, or 12 could all be in that range.
“Look at Kansas City picking ninth. They’ve got issues in the secondary. I think that’s the window. I think that 9 to 12, and I wouldn’t be shocked if both [Downs and Thieneman] are in that 9 to 12 range when it’s all said and done.”
Bengals Named Best Fit for Dillon Thieneman
Last season with the Ducks, Thieneman posted an overall defensive grade of 89.9 from PFF, ranking eighth among 914 qualified safeties. His 90.5 coverage grade also placed eighth in that group, while his 69.3 run-defense grade came in at 442nd.
He finished the year with two interceptions and four pass breakups, allowing a 66.2 passer rating when targeted. Opposing quarterbacks completed 15 passes against him in coverage. He also added 54 solo tackles, contributing both in run support and in the open field.
As a result, Oregon Ducks on SI’s Kyle Clements listed the Bengals, along with the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, and Kansas City Chiefs as the best fits for Thieneman.
“The Cincinnati Bengals should look to Dillon Thieneman to boost their secondary in the 2026 NFL Draft,“ Clements wrote in his April 11 article. “The Bengals will have a better chance than the Cowboys and Steelers to land him, as they select at No. 10 in the upcoming draft.
“If former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is still available for the Bengals, they may select him over Thieneman, but Thieneman would bring a physical presence to Cincinnati that has been missing over the years.”
Cincinnati Receives Another Draft Prospect to Potentially Pursue
Another draft prospect the Bengals are being urged to consider is one who can help them replace Trey Hendrickson. FanSided’s Justin Carter floated the name of Zion Young as someone the Bengals should look to draft in the second round.
“With Hendrickson gone from a defense that already had plenty of holes, the Bengals are going to need some guys to step up,“ Carter wrote in his April 11 article. “Specifically, 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart has to prove he was worth that investment.
“But adding another edge rusher in the draft should be a priority as well. I wouldn’t go there at Pick No. 10 because defensive back is an even bigger concern, but when the Bengals are on the clock at Pick No. 41, taking the best available edge rusher seems like a good idea, and Missouri’s Zion Young might be that guy.”
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