2015 NFL Draft Profile: OLB/DE Shane Ray
Meet Shane Ray, the 6-3 245 pound pass rusher from Missouri. Ray is a high motored player with unreal athletic ability. He was incredibly productive in his college career. This past season he had 14.5 sacks and always seemed to be making plays in the backfield.
The biggest positive to the game of Ray is his explosion. He flies off the line and burns by offensive linemen like the road runner runs by the coyote. He can win off the edge with power or speed. He uses his strength to knock linemen off balance and then he blows past them with a speed move.
Oct 11, 2014; Columbia, MO, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Hutson Mason (14) throws a pass and is pressured by Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Shane Ray (56) during the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Shane Ray can play defensive end in a 4-3 or outside linebacker in the 3-4. He is not the greatest run defender. This is not because of ability, he is just a bit unpolished in this area.
There is not much else to dislike about his game. Its hard to nit pick at him because the talent is absolutely undeniable.
Ray reminds me of Terrell Suggs, a comparison I do not throw around lightly. The two have almost identical body types and put together similar careers at the collegiate level.
Suggs is likely a future Hall of Famer with 100.5 career sacks. Ray has the ability to put up some monster sack numbers himself.
Overall, Ray would fit perfectly on the New York Giants, a team that values pass rushers like a mathematician values a graphing calculator. The Giants are in need of another pass rusher. Ray and Devon Kennard are both players who could thrive on the outside in a 3-4 set. While the Giants are a 4-3 team they could add some hybrid looks if they draft Ray who is surely a first round talent.