LA Chargers: Players to watch at the 2021 Senior Bowl
By Devon Auriemma
Players the LA Chargers must watch: Liam Eichenberg, OT Notre Dame
Eichenberg is listed at 6’6”, 302 lbs. He spent the last two seasons as Notre Dame’s starting left tackle and has only allowed three sacks over the last 26 games, including none this past season. Like many Notre Dame linemen, Eichenberg has been one of the nation’s top linemen and has improved his pass protection which was a concern coming into the 2020 season.
He has the ideal size and length of an NFL left tackle and brings a lot of pop with his hands. He can struggle after initial contact against speed rushers and can be caught looking slow and stiff at times, but his size, footwork and improvement in pass protection make him a solid tackle prospect.
With Tom Telesco’s fascination for Notre Dame players, Eichenberg will likely be in consideration for the Chargers with their second-round selection.
Players the LA Chargers must watch: Dillon Radunz, OT North Dakota State
The 6’6”, 300 lb. tackle for North Dakota State didn’t get much action this past season as the only game he played in was a showcase game. Radunz excels as a run blocker and has spent time protecting Trey Lance and current Chargers quarterback, Easton Stick’s blindside.
Radunz is a very athletic tackle and helped lead NDSU to a program record of 4,601 rushing yards in 2019. He was also a consensus 1st Team All-American in the FCS in 2019. The main concerns surrounding him are the level of competition playing in the FCS, his hand placement and the fact that he only played in one showcase game this past season.
He has a tendency to hit defenders high but his length, size and strength has been able to make up for his hand placement issues. Radunz also suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the 2017 season but has played in every game since his return in 2018. He is always looking for something to do and can be seen blocking numerous defenders throughout a single play.
Radunz will look to increase his draft stock against some of the best seniors in the nation at the Senior Bowl and throughout the draft process. While he might not fit the exact type of offense that the Chargers might run going forward, his athleticism should warrant consideration from the Chargers on day two of the draft.