Broncos Draft Prospects: Arizona St. DB Damarious Randall
The Denver Broncos have plenty of needs going into the 2015 NFL Draft, and the free safety position is one that’s going to need attention. One of the more unheralded positions in this class, the safety group has caught a lot of flak for its lack of star power and, frankly, quality.
That doesn’t mean that there aren’t players in this year’s draft that are going to be able to help an NFL team. One guy that could be of interest to the Broncos and John Elway is Arizona State’s Damarious Randall, a bit of an undersized free safety with speed, ball skills, and the ability and willingness to put a lick on somebody.
In the third round or later, this guy is going to be a fun pickup for some team. While Randall is not as tall as you might prefer from a free safety, he can give you so much from the position and as he continues to grow as a player, I think he’s going to develop into a really good starter in the league.
Strengths
Randall is a former wide receiver (at junior college) and returner who provides versatility on special teams as well as excellent ball skills as a defensive back. His athletic numbers are not off the charts, but they are very good and he has shown an excellent ability to break on passes and deliver punishing hits despite his size.
Breaking on the football, Randall is really strong. He explodes off field and can drive, plant, and change directions on a dime. His quickness also has allowed him to be a very good blitzer for the Sun Devils defense, an area I’m sure the Broncos would love to use him.
Weaknesses
I think at times, Randall just looks unpolished as a player. It’s nothing overly glaring or that can’t be coached if he’s willing to work hard and be coachable by an NFL team.
Randall will occasionally whiff on tackles due to his aggressive style of play, and he might take some false steps at times in coverage.
The other knock on Randall has been the fact that he’s not the biggest safety, playing at more of a cornerback’s size. For reference, Bradley Roby was two pounds lighter than Randall coming out of Ohio State, and the same height.
For what it’s worth, there are rumors the Broncos will be giving Roby a shot at free safety this offseason.
Overall Fit
Randall could help the Broncos immediately as a backup safety and special teams player, but he could also contribute as a nickel or dime defensive back if the need should arise. He’s a versatile prospect with really solid ball skills that, if coached up properly, could develop into a starting free safety sooner rather than later in the NFL.