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Washington Football Team 7-round mock draft: Rolling with Taylor Heinicke

By Ian Cummings

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 05: Brevin Jordan #9 of the Miami Hurricanes takes a moment prior to the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Hard Rock Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 05: Brevin Jordan #9 of the Miami Hurricanes takes a moment prior to the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Hard Rock Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 31: The North Dakota State Bison logo appears on the field where the pitchers mound has been removed and replaced with turf for a game between the North Dakota State Bison and the Butler Bulldogs at Target Field on August 31, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 31: The North Dakota State Bison logo appears on the field where the pitchers mound has been removed and replaced with turf for a game between the North Dakota State Bison and the Butler Bulldogs at Target Field on August 31, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Round 3, Pick 74 – North Dakota State OT Dillon Radunz

There’s a strange fallacy circulating out there that the Washington Football Team needs to spend several early picks on its offensive line. While I agree that the team shouldn’t get complacent or ignore potential regressions in 2021, I don’t think it’s anywhere close to the top need on offense.

Cornelius Lucas and Wes Schweitzer played well in their respective roles in 2020, and Morgan Moses and Chase Roullier seem here to stay as stable constants. A lot depends on what happens with Brandon Scherff, but if the team re-signs him, that’s another position locked up.

I think it’s safe to expect a regression from Lucas and Schweitzer in 2021, but Saahdiq Charles is still waiting in the wings as a high-upside developmental tackle, and Keith Ismael provides versatile depth on the interior. Washington should certainly invest in the line again, but there’s some flexibility regarding how they approach it.

To me, a Day 2 or Day 3 pick is a good starting point on the line, and here, North Dakota State tackle Dillon Radunz is a very good value deal. Radunz is a superb athlete at the tackle position, and while he’s a bit undersized, measuring in at just over 300 pounds, he’s a long, fluid blocker who offers good flexibility and balance against power rushers. He’s also exceptionally proactive as a run blocker, with the mauler’s mentality to drive players down the field.

At the Senior Bowl, Radunz progressed consistently over the course of the week, and also displayed the ability to slide out to guard. Radunz’s athletic upside and positional versatility makes him a strong selection for Washington here. Depending on what happens on the left side of the line, he could come in and take over on both the edge and the interior, and potentially grow into a long-term starter.

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