The Baltimore Ravens loaded up during Day 3 of the 2026 NFL draft, but the most notable of their five selections across Rounds 4 and 5 has to be the potential replacement for running back Keaton Mitchell, 174th pick Adam Randall, “nicknamed ‘Baby Julio’ at Clemson (a reference to longtime NFL star Julio Jones), because of his freaky athleticism at his size,” per Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
A lengthy injury history in college contributed to Randall having to wait to hear his name called, but he’s got a versatile enough skill-set to become Ravens franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson’s best friend on football’s money down.
Randall’s upside can make him a worthy replacement for former undrafted breakout star Mitchell, who joined the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. At the very least, Randall should be a more popular pick than the unheralded and unexpected tight end general manager Eric DeCosta took off the board after a surprising trade earlier on Saturday, April 25.
Adam Randall Earned Julio Jones Comparison
The comparison between Randall and former seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Jones dates back to the fifth-rounder’s early experience playing wideout. Randall never made the grade at the position, but as Brugler put it, “his freaky athleticism at his size” impressed The Tigers.
That good impression helped 6-foot-3, 231-pound Randall reset at running back and join a distinguished list in the school’s history, per Brugler. Randall finished as “just the fourth player in school history to surpass 750 career yards rushing and receiving (Travis Zachery, C.J. Spiller and Travis Etienne are the others).”
Spiller and Etienne represent good benchmarks for versatile receiver-runner types who rolled off the Clemson production line to become capable NFL backs.
Randall is in a good spot to do the same after landing in a Ravens backfield where key members are ageing, but still have plenty of wisdom to impart.
Mix of Experience and Youth Can Help Ravens Replace Keaton Mitchell
Learning from savvy role player Justice Hill can help Randall accelerate his own development. Hill is a third-down back who can do a bit of everything, but he doesn’t possess the dynamic physical and athletic traits that define the rookie.
Randall’s size will present a credible target to Jackson out of the backfield. Something Mitchell rarely was, although he compensated by flexing genuine breakaway speed as a ball-carrier.
Randall can also accelerate through the gears, but he needs to learn control and harness some durability. Qualities he can take from two-time NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry.
The Ravens have been called out for still relying on Henry entering his age-32 season, so adding a viable younger weapon like Randall is a smart strategy. Provided the latter can stay healthy.
He broke both hands, fractured a toe and tore his ACL in college, according to Steelers Depot writer Nate Kosko. Impressively, Randall wasn’t always sidelined for long, but he’ll need to be fully healthy if he’s going to quickly put himself into the mix for the Ravens.
While the injuries and position switch are obvious risks with this pick, Randall’s versatility, athletic profile and production are more than worth a gamble.
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