STRENGTHS - Instinctive and aware, Rambo consistently maintains excellent positioning in deep coverage. He does a good job of reading the QB/Pass/Route-Combinations from centerfield and breaks and closes fast on passes in front of him. Length and ball skills allow him to easily make plays to break-up and intercept passes - His ball skills have been on display a lot as he always seems to be in the right place to make a big interception in key situations. His ability to read and react to the play so quickly gives him sideline range, both in coverage and against the run. He consistently has shown the ability to get outside to help the cornerback with over-the-top coverage. Unlike many thin safeties who excel in coverage, Rambo has no hesitation coming up field quickly in run support. He does a good job of avoiding blocks and closing to the ball carrier fast. When he stays over his feet and under control he can be a strong, wrap-up tackler out in space.
WEAKNESSES - Rambo is a better football player than all-around athlete. While he has quick feet and a quick and compact backpedal, he is tight in hips, which limits his ability to flip hips to change directions fast. On film and at his pro day, Rambo struggled when he had to turn and run out of pedal and could not transition out of pedal quick enough to close fast on passes in front of him out of a pedal. Although he has shown the ability to be a strong open field tackler, too often his tackling technique is an issue. He has a bad habit of either stopping feet and lunging/diving to try and make low tackle or staying upright and becomes a catch tackler - These both lead to him missing too many tackles.
SUMMARY - The classic safety who slides on draft day, but becomes a solid starter in the NFL, Rambo's combination of excellent production at college and less than elite athleticism make him "that guy." It is never wise to write off a defensive backs athletic limitations, but when you look at the entire package of Rambo's skills it is clear he has what it takes to become a starting coverage safety in the NFL. He is definitely better playing passes in front of him and helping cornerbacks on sideline routes, but is not as effective when he has to change directions fast to adjust in man coverage. Overall, Rambo is a player that required a lot of extra film work to make sure I was correct evaluating his skill set. The more I watched, the more I was reminded of Madieu Williams who has been a solid safety in the NFL.