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Redskins UDFA Spotlight: Why Casey Dunn could be the next darling on the interior line

By Jacob Camenker

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Nate Craig-Myers #3 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates a touchdown with Casey Dunn #50 during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Nate Craig-Myers #3 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates a touchdown with Casey Dunn #50 during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 07: Offensive coordinator Bill Callahan of the Dallas Cowboys during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium on September 7, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 07: Offensive coordinator Bill Callahan of the Dallas Cowboys during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium on September 7, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

What Casey Dunn needs to improve

In looking at Dunn as a prospect, it’s clear that there is one area that he definitely needs to improve if he wants to stick around at the NFL level. And that is his strength and weight.

As it stands, Dunn has a nice 6-foot-4 frame, but while at Auburn, he was listed at 292 pounds. Typically speaking, the average NFL center is about 10 pounds heavier. And while Dunn did bulk up to 297 pounds for his Pro Day workout, he only logged 22 reps on the bench press. That’s a below-average total for centers. He definitely needs to continue to add muscle if he can to improve his overall potential.

On tape, Dunn is usually able to stalemate his opponents as previously mentioned. However, he doesn’t often drive many players down the field with his blocks. At the NFL level against bigger, stronger, and faster defenders, it may become a problem for him to continue to stalemate his opponents. So, getting up to the 300-310 pound range seems like a necessity for Dunn. Otherwise, he may not be able to hold up as well as he did at the collegiate level.

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Also, Dunn should continue to work on his ability as a pass blocker. Because he played at Jacksonville State and Auburn, two teams that heavily used their run game, Dunn is a bit raw regarding pass blocking. In fact, Auburn ranked 105th in the FBS out of 130 teams, passing the ball a meager 38.75 percent of the time. That doesn’t mean that Dunn will be a bad pass blocker, but it may take some time for him to adjust to doing that more at the NFL level, considering the lack of reps he had in pass protection at the collegiate level.

These weaknesses definitely played a part in Dunn going undrafted and having to make a squad as a tryout player. But, with a solid strength and conditioning program and a good offensive line coach, the concerns can be put to bed. Considering that the Redskins have Bill Callahan in the fold, they should be in good shape to help Dunn develop into a potential option as a backup center.

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