2012 NFL Draft : Is LSU WR Rueben Randle A Target Of The Cleveland Browns In The Second Round?
Rant Media Network Featured Columnist/NBA Network Manager , Follow me on Twitter, @RobertCobb_76
CLEVELAND, OH – With the 2012 NFL Draft less than three weeks away, one player that may be on the radar of the Cleveland Browns is LSU Tigers junior wide receiver Reuben Randle.
Randle, a 6’3 210-pound wide receiver from LSU would catch 33 passes for 544 yards and three touchdowns in 2010 before emerging as LSU’s top receiver by catching 53 receptions for 917 yards and eight touchdowns for the Tigers in 2011.
Randle would also average 17.3 yards per receptions for the Tigers.
Randle would be held three receptions for 13 yards by Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback—and projected first round pick, Dre Kirkpatrick—during LSU’s 21-0 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Allstate BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans.
Randle, who would also struggle against the Crimson Tide secondary during the Tiger’s 9-6 win in catching two passes for 19 yards, would hurt his draft stock by running a 4.54 in the 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, would run a 4.42 at LSU’s Pro Day, may still struggle at the next level due to his inability to gain separation and lack of elite explosion.
While Randle has a combination of good body control, smooth acceleration and fluid route-running, his lack of bulk may be an issue against the more physical—and faster—cornerbacks in the NFL.
Randle, who has a knack for adjusting to throws and excels at running slants in the short and intermediate areas of the field, may excel as a “X-receiver” in the West Coast Offense, which may appeal to teams such as Cleveland.
Randle’s underrated ability at downfield blocking on run plays may also appeal to the Browns in the run-heavy, smash-mouth AFC North.
Currently projected as a late-first to early second rounder, Randle may be a possible target of the Browns at either No.22 in the later part of the first round or with their second round pick at No. 37.
While Randle may not be a number one receiver in Cleveland, Randle would transition nicely as a solid No.2 opposite wide receiver Greg Little and give quarterback Colt McCoy another target to throw to.
Follow me on Twitter, @RobertCobb_76
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