Jaguars 2021 NFL Draft: Is OT Dillon Radunz worth a 1st-round pick?

In the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pre-draft press conference, head coach Urban Meyer said the team likes their current offensive line group but thinks they all can play better. Also, he believes competition can bring out the best in everyone, and it’s possible that the team will probably use one of their early-round selections in the 2021 NFL Draft to take an offensive lineman. Dillon Radunz of North Dakota State is an enticing prospect, but is he worth a first-round selection?

Ben Linsey of Pro Football Focus recently wrote about four prospects that could be surprising first-round selections and Radunz made the cut. He sees Jacksonville as one of three potential spots where the North Dakota State product could land on Day 1 of the draft.

Linsey points out that Radunz has been constantly mocked to the second or third round but believes he wouldn’t be much of a reach in the first. He also highlights the fact he was the highest-graded offensive tackle in his Senior Bowl week and notes that the Minnesota native gave up just 24 total pressures on 715 pass-blocking snaps over his FCS career.

Radunz needs to add weight but has superb athleticism for the position and a quick first step. Moreover, he started 32 straight games at left tackle and has the physical tools to develop into a quality starter in the NFL. Then again, is he worth a first-round pick?

The Jacksonville Jaguars should pass up Dillan Radunz in the first round.

The Jaguars could surely use reinforcements at left or right tackle. Even though they have probably earmarked the first overall selection for Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, they will have four additional selections in the top 65, and they could use one of them on an offensive tackle prospect, but taking Radunz in the first might not be a good idea.

As Linsey pointed out, Radunz is more of a Day 2, so there’s no need to overdraft him. They could use the 25th overall selection on a safety prospect — maybe Richie Grant  — and take Radunz with one of their two second-round selections if they think he won’t last until the third round. On the other hand, there will be other offensive line prospects besides the former Bison that they could target in the first or second round.

As Meyer recently said, the Jaguars need to avoid chasing players on draft night and trust their board. Taking Radunz in the first round seems counter-intuitive.