SI’s Peter King: ASU’s Damarious Randall could go to Philadelphia Eagles at 20
Apr 28, 2015, 8:08 PM | Updated: 8:09 pm
That the Arizona State Sun Devils could have a player taken in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft is not much of a surprise.
That it could be safety Damarious Randall, and not receiver Jaelen Strong, is a little unexpected.
But that may be where things are heading.
NFL.com’s Mike Mayock has Randall as the top-ranked safety in the draft, and in his final mock draft, SI’s Peter King has the safety being chosen 20th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Very close to two others here: Jaelen Strong or nimble Oregon tackle Jake Fisher. I just want to drive WIP radio crazy; that’s all. I’ll be listening for the gasp from the crowd at the draft party in Philadelphia if the little-known Randall is the pick. “WHO?!!!!! KELLY, YOU’RE NUTS!!!!!” Well, Philadelphians, I’ll tell you this much, to assuage your anger, if it helps: Randall’s become a sexy pick late in round one over the past couple of weeks. Chip Kelly knows he’ll be able to score enough points, and he knows he can get useable receivers down the line. He wants a player with a defensive presence who has a chance to make plays somewhere on D, and the Eagles think Randall can do that.
Randall has been one of the stars of the draft process, posting one of the better combines. That, along with a 2014 season that saw him finish with 106 tackles and three interceptions as well as a first-team All-Pac-12 nod, has seen him emerge as one of the top prospects available.
Along with Randall, Sun Devils expected to be selected over the three days include Strong, defensive tackle Marcus Hardison, with offensive lineman Jamil Douglas also in the mix.
