The Las Vegas Raiders have selected Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Decamerion Richardson with the No. 112 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Richardson is off the board in the fourth round after spending four years at Mississippi State. His first year there was the COVID-shortened 2020 season in which he did not see the field at all for the Bulldogs. However, in 2021, he will appear in eight games, recording 13 tackles. In the following two seasons, Richardson would play in all 25 games for Mississippi State.
In those two years, his junior and senior seasons, Richardson recorded 164 total tackles, 93 solo, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one fumble recovered. Richardson did not intercept a single pass at the collegiate level; however, he is accredited for ten pass breakups at Mississippi State.
Richardson played his high school ball at Boisser High School in Boisser City, LA. He committed to Mississippi State in 2019 and arrived on campus in 2020 as a part of their 2020 recruiting class. Out of high school, Richardson received a three-star ranking with a grade of 85.4. In the 2020 recruiting cycle, he ranked 813 nationally, 74 among cornerbacks, and was the No. 33 ranked player to come out of the state of Louisiana, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Decamerion Richardson
NFL.com gives Decamerion Richardson a prospect grade of 5.94, putting him in the group classified as a ‘Average Backup Or Special-Teamer.’ NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein provided an analysis of the former Mississippi State corner’s ability and how it transitions to the next level.
“Two-year starting cornerback with outstanding physical features but below-average coverage features. He’s leggy with below-average lateral transitions and change of direction in space. Richardson doesn’t play with enough anticipation or short-area burst to make plays on the ball but does have a big make-up gear in a straight line. He’s OK as a tackler but should get better with a greater focus in that department. Richardson’s size and top-end speed will immediately garner attention, but he doesn’t appear to have the skill set to play safety and will be limited by a narrow scheme fit.”
NFL.com also lists Richardson’s strengths as follows: Exceptional size and length for the position; Makes it tough to create catch space on 50/50 throws; Ramps up the recovery burst and closes the distance; Works at maintaining contain positioning against run blocks; Rarely loses his grip on a tackle once he sinks it in.
In terms of weaknesses, Richardson’s are listed as such: Too upright in his backpedal and transitions; Below-average balance when attempting to shadow receivers; Needs better eye balance between quarterback and receiver; Long legs limit short-area quickness and burst to close on throws; Needs to ramp up aggression attacking blocks in run support.
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