In need of help at the cornerback position, Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson selected defensive back Damarious Randall out of Arizona State with the 30th pick in the NFL Draft.
Randall, who ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, played free safety for the Sun Devils, but will likely be part of the cornerback rotation with the Packers.
Green Bay lost corners Tramon Williams and Davon House to free agency, creating a depth issue in the defensive secondary.
Thompson described the 5’11’, 190-pounder as an “athlete”, “heady”, and “a football player”.
Randall had three interceptions, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 8.2 tackles per game during his senior season, earning him All-Pac 12 First Team honors. Sports Illustrated listed him as an honorable mention All-American.
Prior to arriving in Tempe, AZ, he was an All-American at Mesa (Ariz.) Community College where he played safety and was a return specialist. He will compete for a spot as a punt or kick returner with the Packers in fall camp.
The selection by Thompson marks the eighth defensive player selected in the ten first round draft choices by the GM. It’s the fourth straight year Green Bay has addressed the defensive side of the ball in the draft’s opening round, and a second straight year they acquired a safety after picking Ha Ha Clinton-Dix out of Alabama with the 21st selection in 2014.
Green Bay has eight more draft picks remaining, including two on Friday night. The Packers will have the 30th picks in the second (62) and third (94) rounds that begin at 6pm. Rounds four through seven get underway Saturday at 11am.
AUDIO: Ted Thompson says there’s a lot to like about Damarious Randall :26
AUDIO: Damarious Randall says he didn’t expect to get drafted by the Packers :19