Green Bay Packers: Citizen GM grades the 2015 draft class

Nov 30, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Damarious Randall (3) reacts against the Arizona Wildcats in the 87th annual Territorial Cup at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Round One … What about safety Damarious Randall?

Round One – S Damarious Randall – B

Many slated Randall to fall into later rounds, but after his combine production he moved up boards significantly.

With such needs in the secondary and at inside linebacker, it was a sure bet that Thompson was going to address those areas early.

However, when Randall’s name was called at pick #30, Packers Nation collectively thought, “what?” Randall was a baseball player-turned football player in college.

A center fielder mentality, quick hands and an eager approach to learning was what caught the attention of the Packers. But was he a reach at the position?

I still believe so.

Nov 22, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Damarious Randall (3) looks on during the game against the Washington State Cougars at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian -USA TODAY Sports

Where Ted Thompson has always been a BAP (best available player) type of guy, it seemed like the Packers could have gotten more value out of what went on to be the 32nd overall pick, DT Malcolm Brown.

The Packers plan to use Randall in unique ways. A safety in college, the Packers are going to attempt to coach him up as a cornerback, putting his rare and raw talents to use where they are more sorely needed.

Nnamdi Asomugha is the nearest equivalent of a college safety-turned successful cornerback in the NFL, as this leap isn’t always made correctly or efficiently.

With secondary coach Joe Whitt having a lot of success molding young secondary members with the Packers, Thompson obviously believed that Randall’s speed, ball skills and overall football talent was enough of a start to pull the trigger.

Next: Round two - Quinten Rollins