Emerging Defensive Back Could Be Key Piece in Rams Secondary

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — While the Los Angeles Rams’ 13th overall pick has dominated draft headlines, the 29th selection may ultimately shape the franchise’s 2026 outlook. General manager Les Snead, known for hitting on premium picks, could secure two cornerstone talents inside the top 30 this April. If he does, the Rams would exit the draft with a pair of cost-controlled starters five years away from their second contracts and, by extension, one of the NFL’s deepest rosters.

Uncertainty hovers over the safety spot: veteran Kam Curl has yet to commit to a new deal, leaving the back end of the defense without a clear long-term answer. Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman has emerged as a potential plug-and-play solution. The 6-foot, 201-pound junior impressed throughout the combine, clocking a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and recording a 41-inch vertical leap. Sports Illustrated’s Daniel Flick noted that Thieneman’s testing numbers were only part of the story; during on-field drills he displayed fluid hips, sudden change of direction and authoritative hand usage that separated him from the rest of the safety group.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein grades Thieneman as a three-year starter with the size, speed and schematic versatility modern coordinators covet. “He’s an extension of his defensive coordinator,” Zierlein wrote, praising the Oregon product’s knack for aligning and adjusting teammates pre-snap. While not labeled a “big thumper,” Thieneman’s relentless pursuit angles project to consistent tackle production, and his instincts in zone coverage pair with the range to roll down into big-nickel or robber looks.

For a Rams team juggling multiple roster priorities, landing Thieneman at 29 would address the secondary without forcing additional free-agent spending, freeing resources for reinforcements elsewhere. Should Snead pull the trigger, Los Angeles could exit the weekend with two immediate starters and a defensive backfield anchored for the foreseeable future.

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