Lombardi Ave
FanSided

Green Bay Packers: Five players that exceeded expectations in 2015

By Freddie Boston

Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall (23) celebrates with free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) after intercepting a pass against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall (23) celebrates with free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) after intercepting a pass against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall (23) carries the ball for a touchdown after an interception against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall (23) carries the ball for a touchdown after an interception against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Damarious Randall

After an offseason of draftniks eyeing up inside linebacker and defensive line prospects to the Green Bay Packers, many eyebrows were raised when Ted Thompson selected safety Damarious Randall with the 30th overall pick. I certainly was confused when Randall’s name was announced.

But it quickly made sense. Randall was going to be shifted to cornerback, a position that needed reinforcements after losing Tramon Williams and Davon House in free agency. But even with that in mind, expectations were kept in check for the rookie.

Nobody then expected what followed. Randall was one of the best defensive rookies in the league, making four interceptions (including playoffs) and some huge plays at critical times. It was his pick of Cam Newton that put the Packers in position to complete a dramatic comeback in Carolina.

Randall’s pick-six in Oakland set the Packers on their way to what would be a challenging road win. And who can forget his pass breakup on fourth-and-goal which sealed a heart-stopping victory over San Diego to ensure Green Bay hit the bye week at a perfect 6-0.

Randall leapt above Casey Hayward on the depth chart and earned a well deserved starting nod opposite Sam Shields.

Next: Injury wiped out promising start

Home/Green Bay Packers News