Oregon star predicted to replace Cowboys' injured Malik Hooker in 2026

Charlie Baduini

Oregon star predicted to replace Cowboys' injured Malik Hooker in 2026 image

The Dallas Cowboys have a defense problem.

While boasting the No. 1 offense in football after last night's 40-40 shootout against the Green Bay Packers, clocking in at 404.3 yards per game, they also have the league's worst defense, ranked dead last, giving up 420.5 yards per game.

It isn't something that can be fixed overnight, and it most likely will take some time to rebuild that side of the ball in Dallas, but thanks to the Micah Parsons trade, the Cowboys are stocked with two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft that they can use to patch up their defense.

NFL Mock Draft Has Cowboys Selecting Oregon's Dillon Thieneman

In a new mock draft from Sports Illustrated, Randy Gurzi has the Cowboys selecting two defensive players with their first-rounders, Auburn pass rusher Keldric Faulk and Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, as Dallas may have lost Malik Hooker to a serious injury last night.

"There's no team in the NFL worse at defending the pass than the Cowboys right now. Their cornerbacks are an issue, but their safeties are even more of a concern. To get things on track, they have to invest in that position, which is why they take Dillon Thieneman from Oregon," wrote Gurzi.

"Thieneman had six picks as a freshman with Purdue and recorded 210 tackles in two seasons. He's now at Oregon, and with a brighter spotlight, he's establishing himself as a Round 1 talent."

Through five games, Thieneman has had 20 total tackles, one interception, and one pass broken up.

The former Purdue Boilermaker is a star in the making, with his work ethic and leadership highlighted as some of his best qualities.

If the Cowboys can manage to land a player of his pedigree, it may change the culture on Dallas' defense.

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Charlie Baduini

Charlie Baduini is a freelance NBA writer with The Sporting News. He is a content editor and writer with a wide variety of sports reporting experience in live broadcasting and print media.