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NFL Draft: Staff Debates ASU’s Damarious Randall

By Jonah Tuls

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Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Damarious Randall (3) reacts prior to the game against the Arizona Wildcats during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Every year, there are multiple prospects that scouts have vastly different opinions on. The latest draft prospect to fall into this category is Damarious Randall, FS, Arizona State. Throughout the conversation, Charles McDonald, Sayre Bedinger, and I debated our arguments for and against Randall. Take a look.

Staff Debate

Charles: “Jonah I don’t understand the Damarious Randall hype at all. Explain to me please.”

Sayre: “As a tackler, he’s not very good. As a ball-hawk he has immense potential and he’s a return specialist. Former WR has good timing and leaping ability. There’s plenty to like about him, but his tackling and angles weren’t very good.”

Charles: “I get spending a mid to late round pick on him, but I don’t understand taking him in the second round.”

Sayre: “Absolutely not. Hardly any safety in this draft worth that. Even if just because he’s a former CC player who has limited top-level competition…Yeah I’m not touching him till round 3-5.”

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Jonah

: “Position flexible, rangy, ballhawk safety that has generated 10 turnovers in two years. Has the physicality and willingness to tackle but doesn’t always finish it. Also has the athleticism to make plays in the centerfield and on the outside. Can play in nickel situations. 5’11” safety but he doesn’t play like it. He does make plays though. A lot. Had 2 pick sixes, and 177 tackles in 2 years at ASU. Takes good pursuit angles. Biggest thing with him is his very raw technique in coverage. That is coachable though. I believe he will be a second round pick with the safeties that are available, but I have him somewhere around 75 on my BB. I would take him in the 3rd round no doubt. He will go in the 2nd though. I have no doubt about that.”

Charles: “I watched the 3 games on DB none of them showed me he should be a second or third round guy.”

Jonah: “Hmm. I’ve watched 4 games on him. The Oregon State game was bad. But the other three, he showed great range and ball skills. He shows an effort in tackling. He’s Jimmie Ward this year. Has the size and cover skills of a CB in nickel situations. Just different opinions, but he is my sure-fire 3rd safety.”

Jonah: “I hope the Cowboys find a way to get Damarious Randall in the 3rd. I can only hope because he’s going before 64.”

Oct 18, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Damarious Randall (3) celebrates an interception against the Stanford Cardinal at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Charles: “I just want better tackling from a safety prospect. I counted 6 missed tackles in the 3 games I watched. Roman Harper, who was the most average safety in the league last year according to PFF had 9 over a 16 game slate. I can’t draft a safety high who can’t tackle.”

Jonah: “But for me, if he has the willingness and the physicality to tackle and the technique is the problem.. That can be fixed. He is a free safety/nickel cornerback. I’m drafting him for coverage situations and as a ballhawking turnover machine. He did have 177 tackles in 2 years though. I think that can be fixed (technique).”

Charles: “Is he a rookie starter to you?”

Jonah: “Yes, but not until later in the season. He’s going to need a lot of practice reps for his raw technique. But yes I think he can take over as a starting FS/nickel CB in the middle of the season.”

Charles: “We’re just gonna have to completely disagree on that.”

Jonah: “What’s a draft without disagreement!”

Poll/Reader Interaction

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