North Dakota State’s pro day was today, as Trey Lance and Dillon Radunz worked out for Terry Fontenot, Arthur Smith, Jets GM Joe Douglas, Lions coach Dan Campbell, Lions GM Brad Holmes, Panthers GM Scott Fitterer, Panthers coach Matt Rhule, and Washington GM Martin Mayhew. And while Lance will steal all the headlines, former NFL offensive line coach Paul Alexander compared Radunz to current left tackle Jake Matthews, quite the compliment considering Matthews is a former sixth overall selection.
North Dakota State LT Dillon Radunz said that former NFL line coach Paul Alexander said he compares to #Falcons LT Jake Matthews. He’s been working out with #49ers OL Joe Staley. pic.twitter.com/knYoJFGhNG
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) March 12, 2021
The Falcons were likely there to see Lance workout, but Radunz is a highly sought-after tackle in this year’s draft and will surely hear his name called on Day 2. He thrives in a zone-blocking scheme where his fluid movements allow him to move to the second level while keeping his hands on defenders. He’s especially effective in combination blocks. NDSU ran an outside zone scheme that asked their offensive lineman to get out on the move and pick up blocks in space, and Arthur Smith ran more outside zone than anything at Tennessee.
The question surrounding Radunz is his playing strength and ability to handle power rushers and bigger defenders. If he were to be drafted by Atlanta, I would expect him to compete at right tackle with Kaleb McGary, where the loser would kick inside to guard. If the former North Dakota State Bison cannot hold up against larger interior defenders, moving inside to guard could be counter-productive. All in all, I can see similar characteristics from an athletic standpoint between Matthews and Radunz, but Matthews was much more refined as a technician.
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Photo: Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire
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