Rueben

Randle

Randle also has a 77-inch wingspan. While Randle is more than an inch shorter than his 6-foot-4 college listing, he’s two pounds heavier and a rocked-up specimen. He’s going to be a top-30 pick if he runs in the low-4.5s on Sunday.

Widely viewed as a late first-round in the mock-draft circuit, Randle was the last player left in the Green Room. Although Randle showed consistent separation in the SEC, his relative slow forty times at the Combine may have sabotaged his draft stock. On the positive side, NFL Films guru Greg Cosell compares Randle to Hakeem Nicks in terms of “athletic movement and deceptive vertical deep speed.” A superior talent to Ramses Barden and Jerrel Jernigan, Randle should have the upper hand on the No. 3 role, with Victor Cruz moving inside to the slot in three-wide sets.

Per GM Jerry Reese, the Giants even considered Randle at No. 32. “I really didn’t think there was a chance we were going to get him,” said scouting director Marc Ross. “It’s very surprising he was still there.” Randle looks like the early favorite to replace Mario Manningham in three-receiver sets. He and Hakeem Nicks would be the outside wideouts with Victor Cruz in the slot.

We’re not sure how these “league insiders” would have access to Cleveland’s draft plans. Although it’s certainly easy to picture the Browns going with Richardson, we’d place this news in the speculation category as opposed to a sourced report. Kendall Wright, Rueben Randle, and Stephen Hill are among the receivers potentially available with the 22nd pick.

A big wide receiver who can run a complete route tree, Randle was the best player on the Giants’ board “by far” when he was selected late in the second round. Smooth and athletic, Randle will have the edge on Ramses Barden, Jerrel Jernigan, and Domenik Hixon for the No. 3 receiver role.

As was OC Kevin Gilbride. "(He) has the ability to get over the top and hurt people like (Mario) Manningham did,” Gilbride said. Coughlin and Gilbride have gone out of their way to call Randle “NFL ready,” making it clear he’s the heavy favorite to beat out Ramses Barden, Jerrel Jernigan and Domenik Hixon for New York’s No. 3 job. Randle will be worth monitoring in fantasy leagues as a rookie.

The Texans won’t go the free agent route at receiver because they don’t have the cash or a stark need for an immediate starter over Kevin Walter. The preference is to draft and develop an explosive game-breaker as a complement to Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels. LSU’s Rueben Randle and South Carolina’s Alshon Jeffery are possibilities late in the first round.

“Kind of like a James Lofton type,” said the scout. “Long strider. Vertical guy. Very good hands.” Another scout, however, questioned the 20-year-old Randle’s maturity. “Good player but not a real good worker,” the scout said. “That’s the biggest concern about him. He’s pretty immature that way. In terms of size, ability to catch the ball and run routes, that’s all real good.”

The times are slower than expected for the 6-foot-3, 210-pound receiver. Though Randle was a game breaker in college, the Combine forty-yard dash may hurt his chances of going in the top-25 picks. He did create enough consistent separation on film in the SEC to have a good shot at cracking the first round.

Caplan has Houston taking Randle at No. 26 in his new mock draft. Randle is perhaps the most all-around physically gifted 2012 draft-eligible receiver, with vertical tools, plus athleticism, and run-after-catch ability. We’re confident he’ll be a top-33 pick, and he might be a sleeper to crack the top 25.