Damarious Randall, 2015 First Round Pick

[pbmax]

Those write-ups, but especially Lindy's are envisioning him as a safety. 12 teams wanted him as a CB. This is similar to the kerfuffle over Collins. No one knew about the kid so the assumption is that no one in the NFL liked him much. His ranks only changed after people (including Manock and Kiper) got word late that he was the #1 or #2 safety on the board.

[wist43]

That Oregon St. footage... my God he looks awful!!!

Can't tackle, plays soft, gets outrun, gets turned around, gets beat easily...

Wow, just wow how bad he looks in that game... will go thru the others when I get a chance.

[mraynrand]

That Oregon St. footage... my God he looks awful!!!

"Bit of a rough game here" I bet that's what attracted you to watch that one first! LOL

[pbmax]

Oregon St.

#58 is so slow to react that he could have started for the Packers last year at ILB. But run fill from a deep position is not Demarious' strong suit either. That touchdown was #58's gap, but perhaps Randall should have stayed deeper rather than close.

[mraynrand]

The O. state game is troubling because it is the most recent of the footage.

[esoxx]

It's just a shame they couldn't get House resigned. I understand the pick as you can't be shorthanded in the secondary with today's pass happy rules. But with Malcolm Brown sitting there it would have been nice to not feel compelled to pick a backend player.

[Patler]

One thing is for sure, half of ths scouts and evaluators are out to lunch on this guy, because it seems half really like him and half are not impressed at all.

Some criticize his tackling, yet in 2014 he led the team with 106, and was the first DB to get 100 since 2003. So, at least he seems to be a willing tackler. That was evident also on the videos. That is the bigger part of the battle in making a DB a good tackler. Many don't want to tackle. If he wants to tackle, he can be taught to tackle. If he doesn't want to tackle, he will never be good at it.

From the combine video he looks solid, but on the field he is very noticeably small. It will be interesting to see him on the practice field with Hayward and Shields. House was the only answer the Packers had last year for a couple of the big receivers that went nuts against them. I can't see this guy filling that role at all.

Wist said he saw him ranked as a 5th round pick. I have not seen any that low, although old ones have him much lower than more recent ones. McGinn had him as a first round pick and the #2 overall safety. A couple write-ups said he was the best NFL prospect at safety, because of much better cover skills than other safeties.

The league seems to be moving toward more and more big CBs, to face the huge WRs that are taking over. GB seems to be going the opposite direction, with shorter and slighter CBs who can run and jump. It did not serve them well last year.

I think everyone agrees that he reacts quickly to the ball, and catches it very easily and naturally. Looks like he has huge hands, but those darned gloves they wear now sometime make it deceiving.

I don't know if I should think of him as a CB or S. I don't hate the pick, but I'm not excited by it either. I would be if they didn't have HHCD from last year.

[red]

The O. state game is troubling because it is the most recent of the footage.

that was just ugly

i wouldn't have a problem with the kid if he was a third round pick, or maybe even a second, but we used our 1st on him. huge gamble IMO

[pbmax]

I confess, I don't see him as a safety. But I am routinely wrong about college to pro moves. But it seems safe to say the Packers see him as a CB as well.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Lindy's

Safeties

#15 Damarious Randall

projected round- 6

in our view- A player with cb size but a free safety skill set, Randall took a winding road to Arizona State, including not playing football for 2 years following high school, and developed into a first team All-PAC 12 performer as a senior. He plays with a fast and physical attitude, routinely sticking his nose in the fire, but he can be inconsistant as a box safety.

Although he needs technique and discipline work in coverage, randall has the size and body fluidity to hold his own, including the ball skills and confidence for the next level. He isn't a day one starter at safety, but he has the traits to make an immediate impact on special teams coverages, and help in nickle situations.

Strengths- Highly aggressive and plays at full speed at all times. Never gives up on plays and has a knack for chasing down ball carriers from behind. Decisive sideline angles with closing burst to make up ground. Good anticipation to jump routes, reading the QB and baiting throws. Adequate ball skills amd knows what to do with the ball once he gains possession (6 career ints averaging 29.8 yards per return with 2 TDs). Played on special teams coverages with experience as a return man.

Weaknesses- Undersized and lacks ideal strength and bulk for safety position. Willing tackler, but too often needs help to finish stops and can be taken for a ride. Too many ankle biting tackle attempts. Overaggressive, leading to wasted steps and motion. Will get fooled by play-fakes due to his overaggressive nature. Needs to stay patient in his pedal and often bites too early, witch will lead to disaster when lined up in man coverage. Still very unpolished with the technical side of the game.

Grade 5.1

No offense, but anybody reading Lindy's should probably quit watching sports. They are awful, and they've been awful for at least 20 years.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Funny, the more film I watch on the guy the more I like him. I see a guy with no fear of sticking his nose in it, great awareness and anticipation, great vision, great closing speed, ability to mirror the receiver, great hands, tracks the ball well, contests for the ball at the highpoint, has a high energy motor and gets to balls other CB wouldn't. Plus, he makes big plays.

I'm on board. Go Ted!

[pbmax]

It will be nice with someone else on the team with a nose for the ball as opposed to the pigskin-allergenics we have had back there for a while. Maybe Hail Marys stop ending games in the opponents favor.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't know if I should think of him as a CB or S. I don't hate the pick, but I'm not excited by it either. I would be if they didn't have HHCD from last year.

I think he's a corner with the versatility to play safety, and later he will. Kind of like Antrell Rolle. I don't hate or like the pick, but he wasn't a reach. Bob and Kiper had him going in the early 20's. Most had him going in the top 40--Lindy's and their two month old scouting reports notwithstanding. I think if people had been thinking of him as a CB, they'd like him a lot more. To me, he's similar prospect to Eric Rowe.

[Freak Out]

Nothing TT does surprises me anymore. I have seen Randall play a bunch due to the Pac 12 teams I follow....he is a damn good player who excelled playing against a group of very talented teams/players.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I think he's a corner with the versatility to play safety, and later he will. Kind of like Antrell Rolle. I don't hate or like the pick, but he wasn't a reach. Bob and Kiper had him going in the early 20's. Most had him going in the top 40--Lindy's and their two month old scouting reports notwithstanding. I think if people had been thinking of him as a CB, they'd like him a lot more. To me, he's similar prospect to Eric Rowe.

In Mike Mayock's one and only mock, he had Randall going to SEATTLE at #20 pick.

Oops...maybe it was the EAGLES. Either way, it's #20 pick.