2015 NFL Draft: Randy Gregory Will Be A Bust
The New York Giants are always in love with pass rushers come the NFL Draft; my hope is that they haven’t fallen for Randy Gregory. Gregory is the highly coveted defensive end out of Nebraska, who I see as a draft bust.
The Giants have the ninth overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. Many analysts have stated that Gregory would be a good fit for the Giants. They have obviously ignored the weaknesses and concerns of Gregory’s draft resume.
Gregory is an explosive athlete and he has the length that you look for in a top-tier pass rusher. The problem is that he is an unpolished and undisciplined player with a thin frame who doesn’t play well against the run.
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Gregory relied on his speed and length to get to the quarterback when he played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In the NFL he is just another athlete, and his lack of technique will haunt him.
Gregory doesn’t fire off the snap of the football. Once he finally gets out of his stance he turns on his impressive acceleration. The problem is that his slow first step puts him at a disadvantage.
He can get away with it in college football but try getting past Tyron Smith with a delayed first step…it won’t go so well. Gregory lacks the technique, the football IQ and the polish that I expect from a top 10 pick.
The fact of the matter is that I have Gregory as a 2nd round talent. He has high potential, but I can’t be the only one who doubts if he’ll ever reach it. I have 6 outside linebackers/defensive ends ahead of Gregory:
- Leonard Williams
- Shane Ray
- Vic Beasley
- Dante Fowler Jr.
- Alvin Dupree
- Eli Harold
The simple truth is that Gregory isn’t a top 5 talent. He isn’t even a top 5 player in terms of pass rushers. Gregory has the physical ability, but I doubt he will ever live up to it.
Gregory also failed his drug test at the NFL Combine. This is a major red flag. Gregory knew months in advance that he had to take a drug test for the NFL Combine. This shows a lack of self control, a lack of discipline and a lack of good old common sense.
When you are a flawed prospect and you give me reason to question your work ethic and your commitment to football, how am I supposed to rank you as a first round prospect? The truth is that Gregory will be nothing more than a rotational pass rush specialist if he doesn’t make some major changes. Since he is likely going to be drafted early in round 1, he is a bust waiting to happen.