In March, Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was asked if he felt that offensive lineman Dillon Radunz could step into a starting role today. Vrabel responded with a resounding “no,” but noted that he was confident that Radunz would take the coaching and teaching this offseason and improve.
Now almost a full week into voluntary organized team activities (OTAs), Radunz was asked about Vrabel’s comments at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“Ultimately, when he said that, it’s true,” Radunz said of Vrabel’s answer via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline. “When you are in the offseason, I don’t think any of us are ready to start and play in a game at that moment. It’s the offseason, and there’s a reason it’s called the offseason. Obviously, as a competitor, it is my goal to start and all of that stuff. But the team is first and we’re going to make sure everybody on that starting line earns it.”
Due to the number of injuries along the offensive line last year, Radunz, who failed to grab a starting role out of training camp, was thrust into live-game action in his first season.
The Titans’ second-round pick made it into 12 games last year, including one start. Of the 124 offensive snaps played, Radunz was tabbed with two penalties and responsible for two sacks allowed (Pro Football Focus).
After releasing both Rodger Saffold and David Quessenberry this offseason, the Titans have two spots along the offensive line open for competition.
General manager Jon Robinson didn’t provide any clarity on the roster situation last month, so where Radunz would plug in remains to be determined.
He spent the majority of his college career at North Dakota State lined up at left tackle, a position currently occupied by Taylor Lewan, but some believe kicking inside could be his future.
That said, with the left guard and right tackle positions open, Radunz welcomes an open competition.
“We’re going to move guys around in order to push each other and earn it and wherever a guy lines up – whatever guy earns that spot, whether it’s the spot he thought he was going to take or not – that’s just the way it is going to be,” Radunz said. “The competition of earning it here is a big part of the atmosphere.”
Similar to what wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick said earlier this week, Radunz is feeling more comfortable heading into Year 2.
“It is huge jump comfortability-wise,” Radunz said of his second offseason. “Being in the first year, obviously everything is new. City is new, you’re away from home, the NFL is new. I was from the FCS level so there wasn’t as many big guys, so just being able to adapt to that physicality. So, comfortability-wise, just way more comfortable going into Year 2.”
After playing sparingly and being ruled inactive five times over the course of the first 15 weeks, Radunz made his first NFL start on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers.
The rookie offensive lineman played all 62 offensive snaps lined up in place of Lewan, who hadn’t practiced all week due to a back injury. It wasn’t a perfect night for Radunz, who was matched up with 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, but he certainly held his own.
The 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive lineman was tabbed for a chop-block penalty while allowing four of the eight pressures, including a sack on quarterback Ryan Tannehill. That said, none of the sacks came from Bosa.
Radunz admitted that there were things he needed to continue to improve on. However, getting that experience was a significant confidence booster at the end of the year and heading into the offseason.
Now, the former Bison is ready to compete for a starting role in OTAs and into training camp.
“I just want to go out here every day and give 110 percent,” Radunez concluded. “Follow what the coaches do, push each other, and put in the work. The mission is for the Titans to win games, and for the starting five to earn those spots. So, whoever earns those spots during fall camp, it is our job to push those people.”
Radunz will likely be competing with Aaron Brewer and Jamarco Jones at left guard, and Jones and Nicholas Petit-Frere at right tackle.