Patriots Eye Clemson's Adam Randall as Potential Power Back Solution

The New England Patriots have identified an intriguing late-round target in Clemson running back Adam Randall, hosting the 6-foot-3, 232-pound prospect for a top-30 visit as they search for backfield solutions in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Randall represents one of the most unique stories in this year's draft class, having completely transformed his career trajectory through a remarkable position change that paid immediate dividends. Originally recruited by Dabo Swinney as a four-star wide receiver from South Carolina, Randall spent his first three collegiate seasons attempting to establish himself at his natural position.

When production failed to meet expectations for both player and program, Clemson's coaching staff made the bold decision to move Randall to running back for his senior campaign. The results were nothing short of spectacular, validating the unconventional positional switch in dramatic fashion.

Randall exploded for 814 rushing yards on 168 carries during his lone season in the backfield, averaging an impressive 4.8 yards per attempt while accumulating over 1,100 total yards from scrimmage. His 13 rushing touchdowns led Clemson and exceeded the output of any other player on the roster by significant margins.

Perhaps most remarkably, Randall's rushing totals surpassed those of Washington's Jonah Coleman, widely considered the consensus second-best running back in this draft class. This production came from a player who had never carried the ball in a meaningful collegiate game before his senior year.

Beyond the impressive statistical output, Randall's athletic profile has generated significant interest among NFL scouts and front offices. His NFL Combine performance revealed elite physical capabilities that translate well to professional football requirements.

The towering back recorded a 9.49 relative athletic score, placing him among the most physically gifted prospects at his position. His 10-foot-4-inch broad jump demonstrated explosive lower-body power, while his 26 bench press repetitions indicated functional upper-body strength crucial for NFL running backs.

This combination of size, athleticism, and late-blooming production creates an intriguing evaluation challenge for NFL teams. Randall's limited experience at running back raises questions about his technical development, but his natural athletic gifts and rapid improvement suggest significant upside potential.

For the Patriots under new head coach Mike Vrabel, Randall represents a tantalizing possibility. Vrabel's previous success maximizing physical running backs like Derrick Henry in Tennessee creates obvious parallels to what Randall might offer in New England's offensive system.

The Patriots possess eight selections in the final four rounds of this year's draft, providing ample opportunities to invest in developmental prospects like Randall. His projected draft range of rounds 4-7 aligns perfectly with New England's late-round capital and their apparent interest in adding backfield depth.

Randall's wide receiver background could prove advantageous in modern NFL offenses that increasingly value versatile skill players. His familiarity with route concepts and ball-handling skills developed over three seasons could translate into immediate receiving contributions while he continues developing as a pure runner.

The positional change also suggests exceptional football intelligence and adaptability, characteristics that typically translate well to professional success. Learning an entirely new position while maintaining academic and athletic responsibilities demonstrates the type of work ethic and mental processing that NFL teams value highly.

Consensus rankings place Randall as the 17th-best running back in this draft class, reflecting both his limited positional experience and his obvious physical tools. This middle-ground evaluation creates value opportunities for teams willing to invest in development over immediate production.

For New England, which has struggled to establish consistent ground game production in recent seasons, Randall represents exactly the type of calculated risk that could yield significant returns. His size and power suggest goal-line and short-yardage capabilities, while his athletic testing indicates potential for more diverse usage.

The Patriots' hosting of Randall for a top-30 visit signals genuine interest beyond casual evaluation, suggesting they view him as a legitimate option within their draft board. With their late-round selections, New England could afford to gamble on his unique skill set and development potential.