Yuri (@Yuri_Ravens) is almost through the Ravens’ entire draft class! Below are links to his first seven reports, followed by his analysis of fifth-round pick (No. 174 overall) Adam Randall. How can the former Clemson Tiger contribute in Baltimore?
- Vega Ioane (G, Penn State, No. 14 overall)
- Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri, No. 45 overall)
- Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC, No. 80 overall)
- Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana, No. 114 overall)
- Matthew Hibner (TE, SMU, No. 133 overall)
- Chandler Rivers (CB, Duke, No. 152 overall)
- Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama, No. 173 overall)
Short/Long-Term Projection
The Ravens entered the offseason needing additional speed and versatility in the backfield after the loss of Keaton Mitchell’s explosive playmaking ability and value as a kick returner. In the short-term, Randall projects as a rotational
running back capable of carving out a role on passing downs while contributing on special teams, particularly as a return option. Long-term, Randall possesses the athletic profile, size, and developmental upside to grow into a valuable multi-contract contributor for the organization, with the potential to emerge as a high-end RB2 capable of providing explosive plays and complementary production within the offense.
Strengths/ Weaknesses
Randall brings a highly intriguing and uncommon athletic profile to the running back position, aided by his prior experience as a wide receiver. That background consistently shows on film, particularly in his ability to navigate space, identify creases along the perimeter, and maximize open grass with his speed. He demonstrates natural receiving ability out of the backfield, giving him immediate value as a passing-down option and matchup piece. As a runner, Randall displays impressive lower-body flexibility, showing the ability to swivel his hips, make defenders miss in tight areas, and maintain positive momentum through contact. He runs with a forward-falling mentality, routinely generating additional yardage at the end of plays, while also showing patience to allow blocks to develop before accelerating vertically once a lane presents itself. Physically, Randall is a rare athlete for the position. He pairs his 6-foot-2, 232-pound size with strong explosiveness testing, a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, and 26 bench press reps — an athletic foundation that offers considerable developmental upside.
Despite the appealing physical tools, Randall remains relatively inexperienced at the running back position and still shows signs of developmental rawness. His processing and vision on interior runs, particularly in inside zone concepts, can be inconsistent, as he occasionally struggles to quickly identify and anticipate developing lanes. While effective in space, his overall instincts as a ball carrier remain a work in progress. Randall also tends to run upright, which negatively impacts his contact balance and makes him vulnerable to low tackles, often going down quickly when defenders attack below the knees. Ball security and reliability also remain concerns at this stage, as evidenced by two fumbles and six drops last season, areas that will require refinement for him to earn a larger offensive role.
Scheme Fit
Randall projects as a strong schematic fit within Declan Doyle’s offense due to his versatility and pass-catching background. With D’Andre Swift serving as the leading receiving back out of the backfield last season, Randall possesses a similar skill set that could allow him to fill a comparable role within the offense. His receiving ability makes him a natural outlet option on swing passes and check-down concepts, while his experience as a former wide receiver provides added flexibility to motion in and out of the backfield, creating matchup advantages against linebackers and less athletic defenders in coverage. As a runner, Randall appears best suited for pin-and-pull and gap-based rushing concepts that allow him to build momentum and reach the second level quickly, where he can maximize his acceleration, open-field athleticism, and breakaway speed.
Intangibles:
Randall brings a highly regarded character profile and team-first mentality that should appeal to NFL organizations. Dabo Swinney notably referred to Randall as the “highest character player” he has ever coached—an especially significant endorsement considering the volume of high-level collegiate and NFL talent to pass through Clemson during his tenure. Randall also demonstrated notable selflessness and adaptability by transitioning to running back in 2025 to address Clemson’s lack of depth at the position, embracing an unfamiliar role for the betterment of the team. That willingness to sacrifice personal comfort, combined with his work ethic and coachability, speaks to a player who is committed to team success and maximizing his value in any role asked of him.
Comparisons: Kenyan Drake, Cordarrelle Patterson
