The Green Bay Packers new OT Andre Dillard is coming into the building with 6 years of experience and a massive chip on his shoulder. A first round pick for the Eagles back in 2019, Andre has spent a good amount of time on the bench due to injury, as well as missing 2 weeks in 2020 due to the Covid reserve list. Perhaps coming to 1265 will be the change he needs to get back to form.
Washington Bred Star
Andre started his journey to the NFL in Woodinville, WA at Woodinville High School. When he graduated, he was ranked as the No. 6 overall prospect in the state of Washington and racked up accolades including All-KingCo First Team and KingCo 4A Crest Division Offensive Lineman of the Year. He was also named to the Seattle Times All-Area First Team. The ceiling even coming out of high school seemed sky high for Dillard.
WSU All-Star Lineman
College is where Andre really began to shine. He redshirted during his enture tenure with the Wasington Cougars. He appeared in 42 games, starting the final 39 games at left tackle. He was a two-time All-Pac-12 Conference selection, and in his senior year, he earned All-America honors along with making the All-Pac-12 First Team.
NFL Teams viewed the 6’5 315 lb stud as a marquee name entering the 2019 draft. He was highly rated with an overall draft prospect grade of an A. He showed out during his combine performance running a 4.96 time for his 40, and was assessed as having quick footing with an ease in direction changing. Here’s a highlight reel put together by the Pac-12.
The Birds Flew Up To Snatch Him
The Philadelphia Eagles traded up from 25 to 22 in order to lock Andre Dillard down in round 1 of the 2019 NFL draft. Philly’s GM Howie Roseman had this to say about the move at the time.
“It’s hard to find guys with great feet, big bodies, big hands. It’s hard to find these guys. They don’t grow on trees. There’s very few people in the world, you know, it’s the big man theory. There’s very few big men with that kind of feet. It’s just unusual to get him,”…The Athletic
Dillard would go on to start for 3seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before being released. Across those 3 seasons he saw the field in 43 games, starting in 9 of them. With injuries and and poor performance many viewed Dillard as a bust when he was released.
Signed By The Tennessee Titans
Andre was subsequently inked a 3 year $29 million deal with the Titans. The deal was very friendly where he could be released within a couple years without much damage to the salary cap. Given his high rating out of college the upside was still there should he be able to stay healthy and compete for a spot.
Unfortunately the consensus in the building and around the league was that the move was a free agency bust in 2023. Andre appeared in 16 games last year, staring in 10 of them.
According to a report by TITANS WIRE, Andre gave up a league high 12 sacks and 41 pressures. He was benched multiple times due to poor play and was cut from the team last month.A
The Green Bay Packers May Have Another Unpolished Gem
I know I’ve mentioned it ad nauseum at this point, but it’s still worth pointing out the number of no name players that have bounced around the league before finding their opportunity in Green Bay.
If Andre can rekindle that WSU spark and play to his abilities, the Green Bay Packers should have another great depth piece. Of course I personally am still rooting for Caleb Jones, but like Roseman said, you just don’t find athletic guys this size every day. Perhaps Carrying the G will help break the chip off of his vet shoulder.
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