:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49884645/usa-today-8109455.0.jpg)
Brian Randolph was a solid safety during his time with the University of Tennessee. Being a four year starter starter in the SEC is nothing to shake a stick at, and he put on a show at the Vols' pro day. Despite that, he still went undrafted - and has a chip on his shoulder because of it.
Always boisterous, he was quick to point out his stellar performance after his workout was complete. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing either - especially in a defense coached by Gregg Williams.
The Rams developed Rodney McLeod from UDFA to a solid NFL starter and have placed youngsters Christian Bryant (7th round, 2013) and Maurice Alexander (4th Round 2014) in a position to fill McLeod's shoes. Randolph is hoping that he can be next in line.
*** If you're interested in reading more about Bryant and Alexander, there have been some interesting reads lately from ESPN on Bryant and the LA Daily News on Alexander.
Roster Battle
The safety battle is the most intriguing battle heading into camp and it's not likely to disappoint.
With the upheaval in the secondary, there could be as many as three spots open after accounting for T.J. McDonald and Mo Alexander - and Cody Davis will have the first shot to claim one of them. Assuming Davis' special teams contributions keep him aboard, that leaves Randolph competing with Bryant, Jordan Lomax (Roster Preview) and Rohan Gaines (Roster Preview) for the last two safety spots.
If you wanted to go a step further, you could say that the last man standing between Lomax, Gaines, and Randolph will win the final spot on the depth chart.
Expectations
Randolf showed at the Vols pro day that he has the measurables, but he needs to translate it onto the field to win a spot on the final roster.
Chances of Making Final Roster (6/10)
Whoever wins the last roster spot at safety will have to have to have both the ability to play in a pinch while carrying enough upside to be a long term option as well. Oh, and let's not forget special teams contributions either. I think Bryant has the physical talents to contribute on special teams and the long term promise needed, but I'm not so certain that he would be able to play this year if asked.
3k punted the chance to differentiate between Gaines and Lomax, but I think Randolph is a shade better than both. But I also think all three are below Davis, Bryant, and Alexander in the pecking order. If Randolph falls short of the final roster, I would think that he would be a prime candidate for landing on the practice squad.