The Chicago Bears waited patiently for the first round to fall and come to them on Thursday night and selected safety Dillon Thieneman with the No. 25 overall pick, addressing a big position of need for them this offseason.
Chicago had been widely expected to address the defense with their first round pick, the question came down to where on the defense the Bears would go given how their board played out. Now able to pair Thieneman alongside free agent signing Coby Bryant on the back end of the defense, the Bears will now more than likely be focused on addressing the trenches on both sides of the ball for the rest of this draft.
With three picks coming up on Friday, Chicago will have plenty of options, especially on defense, as they look to continue to add the missing pieces after a busy offseason.
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 / 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 Images5 / 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)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 draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyINDIANAPOLIS, 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.Here are the Top 10 players available for Chicago on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Kayden McDonald was graded as a first round pick, but only Caleb Banks out of Florida was selected in the first round at the defensive tackle spot. McDonald has great run-stopping ability and would open up plenty of opportunities for the edge rushers Chicago will have on the outside. His run defense was one of the best in all of college football last season, and it's certainly an area in which the Bears need to improve.
Another player who had a first round grade on him, T.J. Parker is coming off a disappointing 2025 season, where he finished with just six sacks compared to the 12 he finished with in the 2024 season. Parker certainly knows how to get after the quarterback, but doesn't have one elite trait that made him standout above others at his position, showing why he fell to the second round.
Continuing to focus on the edge rusher position for Chicago, Zion Young would be another top target for the Bears with one of their two second round picks if he's still available. Coming off the best season of his collegiate career, Young had eight sacks for Missouri last year, and he plays with a high motor and relentless energy.
The trend doesn't stop, Chicago needs to be looking at the defensive line prospects as they wait their first selection of the second round with pick No. 57. Cashius Howell had 26 sacks over the past three seasons in college, including 12 for the Texas A&M Aggies this last year, but he could also be used as a situational pass rusher where he can thrive in winning one-on-one battles.
The Bears have been linked to adding more in their secondary this offseason, especially after the departure of Nahshon Wright in free agency. Avieon Terrell has great football IQ and ability to make plays on the football, falling in line for what the team already has built in their secondary.
If Chicago has done their research and believe in Jermod McCoy's recovery from a torn ACL, and he's still around when they select in the second round, they need to run the card up to the podium on Friday night. McCoy could build quite the duo with Jaylon Johnson on the outside at the cornerback position, as he has similar potential to become a shutdown corner as Jaylon Johnson has been for the last several seasons for the Bears.
With so much focus on the defensive side of the football, Chicago should also keep their minds open to adding more competition at the left tackle spot, which they sounded very willing to do in pre-draft meetings with the media. Caleb Tiernan wouldn't have to go far from his college days at Northwestern, where he displayed great IQ and technique which helps make up for his shorter arm length.
A Heisman Trophy finalist this past season, Jacob Rodriguez fits the Bears model perfectly, as an athletic linebacker who knows how to make plays on the football and with it as well. More so a potential pick in Round 3 than Round 2, the Bears have a bunch of veterans at linebacker including the return to the franchise for Jack Sanborn, as well as the re-signing of D'Marco Jackson, and free agent addition of Devin Bush. The linebacker spot is not a major concern for the Bears, but a player with the talent level of Rodriguez should be in consideration.
Back to the defensive line with R Mason Thomas, who is incredibly explosive but his lack of ideal size could make him a situational pass rusher at the NFL level. He had 6.0 sacks this past year for Oklahoma, down from his total of 9 in the 2024 season.
If Chicago wants to look for another option at defensive tackle, Christen Miller has good speed for his size, including a great first step to go along with his outstanding strength. Miller can hold his own in the middle of the defensive line, and has excelled in run defense, with a great capability to shed blocks.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Best fits for Chicago Bears on Day 2