Rookie safety Dillon Thieneman is starting to receive high expectations. Early reports out of OTAs and minicamps were that Thieneman is working with the first-team and already looks smart enough to get on the field in Week 1.
So, the expectations that were already high after the draft have now risen in the summer months.
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report went bold and tried to provide a lofty expectation. He is projecting Thieneman for an impressive 98 combined tackles and five interceptions.
Dillon Theieneman gets major rookie season projection
Based on his draft slot, a season with 84 tackles should be expected for him to join the list of strong hits. So, 98 tackles is only a bit of an increase. Still, combining that tackle production with five interceptions would be impressive.
Since 1994, when combined tackles began to be tracked, only 22 defensive backs have recorded at least 98 tackles during their rookie season. Most recently, it was rookies Malachi Moore of the New York Jets and Xavier Watts of the Atlanta Falcons who hit 98 tackles or more.
Some of the most notable players to record that many tackles in their rookie season include Jalen Pitre, Jessie Bates, Derwin James, Harrison Smith, TJ Ward, Landon Collins, Donte Whitner, and Keanu Neal. So, it is not a lock to be a great player with that production, but plenty of quality safeties hit the ground running in the manner that is expected of Thieneman.
Still, only one of those players had over 98 tackles and five interceptions. That was Pitre. Erik Coleman recorded four interceptions in 2004. Then, a list of five defensive backs that included Bates, James, Smith, Madieu Williams, and Alterraun Verner had three interceptions.
Pitre is entering his fifth year and is an ascending player. James is entering his eighth year. All of the other safeties to record at least three interceptions were NFL starters for at least eight seasons.
Verner made an All-Pro one year, Smith made six Pro Bowls and two All-Pros, James has five All-Pro seasons, and Bates has three All-Pro seasons. So, four of the seven players to record 98 tackles and three interceptions made an All-Pro at some point, and Pitre was already close to making it a fourth.
It is not a lock, but if Thieneman produces like some are projecting him to, he is likely to earn some postseason awards during his career.
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