Tennessee Titans: Dillon Radunz is coming into the perfect situation
NASHVILLE — Roster competition developed in earnest for the Tennessee Titans, whose offseason concluded earlier this month. Rookie tackle Dillon Radunz worked diligently since arriving in Nashville for rookie minicamp in May. That work ethic has positioned Radunz well for Tennessee's open spot at right tackle. Titans GM Jon Robinson spent his second-round pick on Radunz […]
NASHVILLE — Roster competition developed in earnest for the Tennessee Titans, whose offseason concluded earlier this month. Rookie tackle Dillon Radunz worked diligently since arriving in Nashville for rookie minicamp in May.
That work ethic has positioned Radunz well for Tennessee's open spot at right tackle.
Titans GM Jon Robinson spent his second-round pick on Radunz in an effort to make up for how badly tackle Isaiah Wilson busted in 2020. Just because Tennessee is chasing the ghost of first-round picks past does not mean they are ill-equipped at the position in 2021.
Titans tackle competition
Radunz will have to hold off challenges from veteran journeymen Kendall Lamm, Ty Sambrailo and David Quessenberry among others.
The Titans acquired Lamm in free agency this offseason and re-signed Sambrailo to a one-year deal. Both Sambrailo and Quessenberry played admirably at left tackle for Tennessee in 2020 after Taylor Lewan was lost to a Week 6 torn ACL. Sambrailo started five games before also going down with a season-ending injury, as well. Quessenberry entered in the fourth quarter of that Week 10 contest at Baltimore and solidified the position for the rest of the year.
For Radunz, Titans coaches seem to think the rookie is on the right path to push the vets.
"Dillion's doing a great job," said offensive line coach Keith Carter during mandatory minicamp. "What you love about the guy is that he's willing to do everything. Whatever it takes. So, already up to this point, (Radunz) has played inside, he's played outside and he'll go all day."
Versatility goes a long way and Radunz displays varying degrees of comfort at guard or tackle thus far. Carter and coach Mike Vrabel will test the rookie's abilities and willingness to see if he can hold up in ways his predecessor could not.
Radunz making progress
Radunz, who played in 33 career games with 32 starts at left tackle, will be making the transition to the right side in Tennessee.
Part of four Missouri Valley Football Conference championship teams and three NCAA Division I football national championships while at North Dakota State, Radunz is accustomed to near-perfection. The two-time FCS All-American is more than capable of starting as a rookie in the NFL. There are elements of his game, however, that the Titans must fine-tune.
"Obviously, there's faster, stronger guys, and I've been putting in the work this offseason, been putting in the work since my coaches thought I can go to the NFL," Radunz said. "I've been making sure I've been going up against those opponents. I think I proved myself well at the Senior Bowl. I was able to perform well against those guys and continuing to get stronger, get faster against those high-level opponents is going to be huge."
Listed at 6-6, 301 lbs, Radunz has plenty of physical growing yet to do.
The rookie is excellent as a run blocker on tape and will fit nicely with what the Titans offensive mindset. Right now, the focus is on getting him comfortable at new positions. Radunz is making positive improvements and impressions by all accounts.
"It's a unique situation," said Carter of his offensive line. "We have several guys that have playing experience on Sundays and then, obviously, Dillon coming in as a rookie and seeing where he fits in that picture. It is exciting. There's been no decisions made (on who is starting)."
Finding a final five up front will not come until well into training camp. Radunz, however, has put himself in the best possible position.
