Weaknesses:
Summary: Randle is a polished wide receiver who has good, but not elite characteristics. He is a big receiver who runs good routes and has good hands. In the NFL, Randle is a possession receiver that could help move the chains.
Randle did not have good quarterbacks to work with as a junior, but still hauled in 53 receptions for 917 yards and eight touchdowns. It was disappointing to see him struggle against Alabama and their talented secondary comprised of NFL talent. He had two catches for 19 yards in the first game and three for 13 yards in the rematch. That leads to the valid concern that Randle may struggle with getting separation against NFL cornerbacks.
Randle was a star recruit out of high school, but never became the dominant player that many forecasted him to be, as his numbers prior to his junior campaign never eclipsed 550 yards. Randle is a good blocker in the ground game and will contribute in getting defensive backs out of running plays.
It looks like Randle would be a perfect fit in a West Coast offense that works through ball-control passing. He is a very good slant receiver and that is a staple route in the West Coast offense. He would not be good in a vertical offense that sends receivers deep consistently. Randle does not have the foot speed or quickness to get separation on go routes. Because of that, Randle projects as a second-day pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Player Comparison: Brandon LaFell. Randle’s game is similar to former another LSU product. In the 2010 NFL Draft, LaFell was a third-round pick of the Carolina Panthers. LaFell (6-2, 210) has contributed some in his first two seasons for the Panthers, but hasn’t recorded 40 catches in a season yet.
NFL Matches: Minnesota, Jacksonville, New York Jets, Chicago, Houston, Baltimore, New England
There are a lot of teams that could target Randle on the second day of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Vikings need a receiver to take Sidney Rice’s place as a complement to Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin. The Jaguars need more receivers for Blaine Gabbert, and Randle would be a nice scheme fit in Jacksonville. The Jets could use a young receiver to replace some of their veterans.
Chicago needs more than just Brandon Marshall to build up a good receiving corps for Jay Cutler to work with. The Texans’ biggest need is at receiver, and if they don’t address it in the first round, they could in Round 2 with Randle. Baltimore needs some young talent at wideout. The Patriots also need more youth at wide receiver, even after signing Brandon Lloyd.
RELATED LINKS:
2012 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2012 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2012 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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