Despite the Cleveland Browns’ best effort to derail the Titans’ plans at pick No. 53 overall, the two-tone blue stood tall and selected offensive tackle Dillon Radunz out of North Dakota State.
It’s possible that general manager Jon Robinson would have pulled the trigger on Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah had the Browns not traded in front of him, though.
But Cleveland did the Titans a favor. Wide receiver was undoubtedly the team’s biggest need and they would address it with their second pick… or not.
After a whiff in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, JRob went back to the offensive tackle drawing board, selecting Radunz.
Tasked with protecting the blind side of the 2021 No. 3 overall pick, quarterback Trey Lance, Radunz didn’t allow a single sack in 2020.
But Radunz only played in one game in 2020, right? You thought you had me… Yes, that’s correct, but Radunz also allowed zero sacks in 16 games played in 2019.
The former Bison stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs in at 299 pounds, can play either right or left tackle (some experts even believe he can play guard), excels in the run game and has a nasty disposition.
Basically, he checks all the boxes for Tennessee.
Regarding other tackles taken before him, the selection of Radunz at No. 53 is another home run for Jon Robinson and Co. The 23-year-old was projected ahead of fellow tackles Alex Leatherwood, Samuel Cosmi, Jackson Carman, and Liam Eichenberg, to name a few.
Once again, it’s about value for the Titans, and Radunz will compete for and likely win the starting job at right tackle over Kendall Lamm and Ty Sambrailo come September.
And, while we at Titans Wire would have liked to see a wide receiver at 53, there’s no denying this was a solid pick.
Grade: B+
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