2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Joseph Randle
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Strengths:
Quick first step
Speed to turn the corner
Athletic; upside
Frame to get bigger, stronger
Nose for the end zone
Great moves in the open field
Rips off yards in chunks
Nice blitz blocking ability
Quality receiver
Nice hands
Good ball security; zero fumbles in 2011
Agility
Threat to break off long touchdown runs
Very good inside the 10
Weaknesses: Yards after contact
Not physical enough
More quick than fast
Runs too upright
Needs lower pad level
Inconsistent with how he finishes runs
Summary: Over the past two seasons, Randle has been one of the best backs in the Big XII. He has been extremely productive and has helped the Cowboys by generating huge point totals on a weekly basis. Oklahoma State has produced some of the NFL's all-time great running backs, and Randle made his mark during his collegiate career.
As a freshman in 2010, Randle backed up Kendall Hunter. Randle then took over as the starting running back the following year and was a First-Team All-Big XII selection. Randle averaged 5.9 yards per carry with 1,216 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns. He chipped in with 43 receptions for 266 yards and two scores. Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon got all the headlines, but Randle was an core contributor for the offense.
With Weeden and Blackmon in the NFL, Randle took over as the feature player in the Oklahoma State offense. Randle averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2012 on his way to 1,417 yards and 14 touchdowns. He picked up 28 receptions for 224 yards as well. He had big games against TCU, Oklahoma, Baylor and Iowa State.
Randle's best game came against Texas. He ran for 199 yards on 25 carries including a long run for a score. On the score he juked Langhorns safety Kenny Vaccaro to break free downfield. Randle ran with more physicality against Texas than he did against other opponents. He also showed some great blocking in that game.
As a runner, Randle has good quickness. He has a quick first step and is elusive in the open field. Randle has nice moves to dodge defenders with cutting ability. He isn't a physical runner who powers through tacklers and picks up a lot of yards after contact. There are times when he runs with an attitude, but it isn't consistent enough.
At the Combine, Randle had a disappointing time in the 40-yard dash at 4.63 seconds. He is more quick than fast and has more speed in the games. Randle has the frame to get bigger and he should add 15 pounds of bulk for the NFL. He could be a good contributor in the passing game with plus receiving ability and blocking potential.
There is a possibility that Randle could become a starter, but it looks more likely that Randle would be part of a rotation. Randle could handle third-down responsibilities. He looks like a mid-round pick.
Player Comparison: Steve Slaton. Randle's running style reminds me of Slaton. Both players have some speed and shiftiness to their game. Slaton (5-9, 199) is shorter but the same weight as Randle. Slaton's career started out well with the Texans as he ran for nearly 1,300 yards as a rookie, but he fell into the coaching dog house and lost his starting spot. Slaton was out of football last year. Randle probably will stick in the NFL longer than Slaton.
NFL Matches: Atlanta, New York Jets, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Tennessee
A number of teams could target a running back in the mid-rounds. The Falcons need a replacement for Michael Turner, and Randle could fit well in their blocking scheme. The Jets also need a starting running back and could consider Randle, although he doesn't really fit as a physical back like New York's coaches prefer.
The Rams may lose Steven Jackson, and Randle would be a good option to pair with Isaiah Pead. Pittsburgh could use a long-term starter at running back and have been inclined to backs with some speed.
The Titans could use another running back to turn to if Chris Johnson gets in another slump. Randle could be a good fit for Tennessee.
RELATED LINKS:
2013 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie's | Walt's
2013 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2013 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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Weaknesses:
Summary: Over the past two seasons, Randle has been one of the best backs in the Big XII. He has been extremely productive and has helped the Cowboys by generating huge point totals on a weekly basis. Oklahoma State has produced some of the NFL's all-time great running backs, and Randle made his mark during his collegiate career.
As a freshman in 2010, Randle backed up Kendall Hunter. Randle then took over as the starting running back the following year and was a First-Team All-Big XII selection. Randle averaged 5.9 yards per carry with 1,216 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns. He chipped in with 43 receptions for 266 yards and two scores. Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon got all the headlines, but Randle was an core contributor for the offense.
With Weeden and Blackmon in the NFL, Randle took over as the feature player in the Oklahoma State offense. Randle averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2012 on his way to 1,417 yards and 14 touchdowns. He picked up 28 receptions for 224 yards as well. He had big games against TCU, Oklahoma, Baylor and Iowa State.
Randle's best game came against Texas. He ran for 199 yards on 25 carries including a long run for a score. On the score he juked Langhorns safety Kenny Vaccaro to break free downfield. Randle ran with more physicality against Texas than he did against other opponents. He also showed some great blocking in that game.
As a runner, Randle has good quickness. He has a quick first step and is elusive in the open field. Randle has nice moves to dodge defenders with cutting ability. He isn't a physical runner who powers through tacklers and picks up a lot of yards after contact. There are times when he runs with an attitude, but it isn't consistent enough.
At the Combine, Randle had a disappointing time in the 40-yard dash at 4.63 seconds. He is more quick than fast and has more speed in the games. Randle has the frame to get bigger and he should add 15 pounds of bulk for the NFL. He could be a good contributor in the passing game with plus receiving ability and blocking potential.
There is a possibility that Randle could become a starter, but it looks more likely that Randle would be part of a rotation. Randle could handle third-down responsibilities. He looks like a mid-round pick.
Player Comparison: Steve Slaton. Randle's running style reminds me of Slaton. Both players have some speed and shiftiness to their game. Slaton (5-9, 199) is shorter but the same weight as Randle. Slaton's career started out well with the Texans as he ran for nearly 1,300 yards as a rookie, but he fell into the coaching dog house and lost his starting spot. Slaton was out of football last year. Randle probably will stick in the NFL longer than Slaton.
NFL Matches: Atlanta, New York Jets, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Tennessee
A number of teams could target a running back in the mid-rounds. The Falcons need a replacement for Michael Turner, and Randle could fit well in their blocking scheme. The Jets also need a starting running back and could consider Randle, although he doesn't really fit as a physical back like New York's coaches prefer.
The Rams may lose Steven Jackson, and Randle would be a good option to pair with Isaiah Pead. Pittsburgh could use a long-term starter at running back and have been inclined to backs with some speed.
The Titans could use another running back to turn to if Chris Johnson gets in another slump. Randle could be a good fit for Tennessee.
RELATED LINKS:
2013 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie's | Walt's
2013 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2013 NFL Draft Scouting Reports