LA Chargers mock draft after falling to nine: Caleb Farley in the first round
By Jason Reed
With the 42nd overall pick, the LA Chargers select Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
This is a bit of a risky selection as the LA Chargers would be picking a tackle prospect that has a lot of potential but may need some coaching up at the NFL level. Charger fans may immediately think of Trey Pipkins with that description, but Dillon Radunz is much better than Pipkins was out of college.
Radunz has all the intangibles to be a legitimate top-tier tackle in the league. He has the size, strength, length and overall presence on the NDSU offensive line that is really easy to fall in love with.
He does need some work on his footwork and there is always the concern of an FCS tackle taking the leap to the next level. However, because of his gifted size and football IQ, I would bet that Radunz will take the leap to the NFL in stride.
It is also important that Radunz has primarily played left tackle for the Bison. NDSU runs a pass-first spread offense that is absolutely preparing him to pass-block at the next level for Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ passing attack.
I am hopeful that Radunz will be more than ready to start in the NFL as a rookie and could really blossom into something special and become a building block for the LA Chargers.