Why Shane Ray and Randy Gregory Will Still Go Early

Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Shane Ray (56) walks off the field after being ejected from the game during the second quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The recent news regarding top NFL draft pass rushers Shane Ray and Randy Gregory and their drug-related issues, both marijuana has many think the two could fall clear out of the 1st round. That is how bad the timing appears.

THIS JUST IN: Projected Top 10 pick in NFL Draft, DE Shane Ray (Missouri) was cited for possession of marijuana & traffic violation.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 28, 2015

There is just one problem with that assumption: their talent. Gregory and Ray are part of a pass rusher class that is considered the best to come around in 10 to 15 years according to some experts. While dropping out of the top 10 is certainly possible, their physical skill and production is bound to convince at least one team to take a chance on them.

Besides, history also offers an indication that substance-related arrests doesn’t mean that man is suddenly a bad football player. Here is a list of the top 15 pass rushers in NFL history. The names with the asterisk next to them had an arrest or law-related issue tagged on them before even entering the draft.

Bruce Smith
Reggie White
Kevin Greene
Chris Doleman
Michael Strahan
Jason Taylor
John Randle
Richard Dent
Jared Allen*
John Abraham
Lawrence Taylor*
Leslie O’Neal
Rickey Jackson
DeMarcus Ware
Derrick Thomas*

Shane Ray and Randy Gregory will be punished in some fashion for their missteps, but getting caught with some weed won’t be enough to swap NFL teams from seeing their dominance and potential on tape. Rest assured, both will be gone halfway through the 1st round.

More from NFL Mocks

Home/NFL Draft