22-05-2025
A pair of Ducks appear in the PFF Top 50 NFL prospects for 2026
A pair of Ducks appear in the PFF Top 50 NFL prospects for 2026
There was a total of 10 Oregon Ducks taken in the 2025 NFL draft, which was a program record. While Oregon might not have as many taken in the next draft, the Ducks could have more selected in the earlier rounds in 2026.
But in Top 50 NFL prospects, just two Oregon Ducks, safety Dillon Thieneman and center Iapani Laloulu appear on the list. Those two definitely deserve the recognition as they are some of the best in the nation at their respective positions, but other Ducks are predicted to go in the first or second round in most mock drafts that weren't mentioned for some reason.
Players such as offensive lineman Isaiah World, defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei, wide receiver Evan Stewart, and tight end Kenyon Sadiq are largely thought of as first-round material.
According to the analytical site, Thieneman's range in the back end of a defense is second to none.
"Thieneman's sophomore season at Purdue wasn't nearly as good as his freshman year," they said. He posted just a 72.4 PFF grade after earning an 89.5 grade in 2023. Much of that can be attributed to the Boilermakers lining him up at free safety far less, a role he excels at with his elite speed and ball skills.
"His 89.4 PFF grade since 2023 is still fourth among returning FBS safeties, and he has 80.0-plus grades in coverage and run defense in that span. Thieneman's arguably the best centerfielder in college football and is one of the best athletes in the nation as well. Dan Lanning should have a lot of fun incorporating his range into his defense."
As for Laloulu, or as his teammates call him, "Poncho," the big center's versatility and showing how good he is in a limited number of snaps is what makes him unique.
"Laloulu flashed across 413 snaps as a true freshman in 2023, leading all Power Four guards with a 0.9% pressure rate allowed," PFF said in their analysis. "He shuffled all over the Ducks' interior that year, playing at least 100 snaps at center, left guard and right guard. He became Oregon's starting center as a sophomore and was one of only six Power Four players at the position who earned top-20 grades as both a pass blocker and a run blocker. Laloulu still hasn't surrendered a sack across 720 career pass-blocking snaps."
Thankfully they'll all have an entire season to show what they can do and plead their case.
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