Ok, boys, get your hands together or we'll pump in our own crowd noise!
With the 8th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select...
Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
6'3, 245
Arm Length: 33 1/8"
Hands: 9"
Overview
As a junior in 2014, Ray was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year while earning consensus first-team All-America status after leading the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss. He was All-SEC first team (AP, Coaches) and a Hendricks Award Finalist (nation's top defensive end). He was a semifinalist for the Lombardi and Bednarik awards. His 14.5 sacks in 2014 are a school single-season record and ranked third nationally. His 22.5 tackles for loss also ranked third nationally. He also forced two fumbles. In 2013, appeared in all 14 games (no starts), and had nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. During redshirt freshman season in 2012, had 2.5 tackles for loss in 12 games (no starts). Redshirted in 2011. Was rated No. 3 player overall in Kansas by Rivals.com. Overcame very turbulent adolescence. His father, Wendell, starred at Missouri at defensive end and was a fifth-round draft pick in the 1981 NFL Draft.
Pro Day Results
40-yard dash: 4.64 and 4.65 seconds
Vertical jump: 33 1/2 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet
20-yard short shuttle: 4.53 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.71 seconds
Grade
6.69
Overview
As a junior in 2014, Ray was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year while earning consensus first-team All-America status after leading the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss. He was All-SEC first team (AP, Coaches) and a Hendricks Award Finalist (nation's top defensive end). He was a semifinalist for the Lombardi and Bednarik awards. His 14.5 sacks in 2014 are a school single-season record and ranked third nationally. His 22.5 tackles for loss also ranked third nationally. He also forced two fumbles. In 2013, appeared in all 14 games (no starts), and had nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. During redshirt freshman season in 2012, had 2.5 tackles for loss in 12 games (no starts). Redshirted in 2011. Was rated No. 3 player overall in Kansas by Rivals.com. Overcame very turbulent adolescence. His father, Wendell, starred at Missouri at defensive end and was a fifth-round draft pick in the 1981 NFL Draft.
Analysis
Strengths
Explosive athlete in every sense. Has elite power for his size and explodes off the line like a coiled spring. Rushes passer with extreme passion and purpose. Has fast, violent hands with advanced understanding of how to use them. Tough and plays with bad intentions on each snap. Uses rip to get under linemen and out-leverage them. Played 4-3 defensive right end in base but rushed from three-technique in some sub-packages. Once he gets to blocker's edge, they struggle to recover and redirect. Rare ability to post inside leg and get his body turned sharply and quickly around it toward quarterback. Excellent change-of-direction talent. Has natural coordination of head fakes, footwork and hand usage in pass rush. Works hard to stand his ground against power. Has power in upper body and hips to punch and dispatch with tight ends against run. Rarely runs past the arc as a rusher and will fight to come back underneath if he gets on the high side. Was able to drop into space with no issues when asked.
Weaknesses
Lacks ideal length as an outside rusher. At times was engulfed and glued to the bigger tackles he faced. Can get too focused on hand fighting if he doesn't win with hands early in pass rush. Will occasionally stunt himself out of a play, opening up running lane. If rushing from inside, must learn to set up teammates when running "T/E" (tackle first, end under) twists. Relies on arm-over inside and slap/rip outside -- needs more variety to pass rush.
Sources Tell Us
"He's not like other guys from Missouri that we've seen.
He's got serious speed to get over the top of tackles and those other ends didn't have it. You just wish he was a little longer." -- NFC outside linebackers coach
NFL Comparison
Chris Clemons
Bottom Line
It's hard to find many play weaknesses for Ray, but his lack of overall length is one area that some teams have concerns about. He pursues the quarterback and the ball like it's his last snap.
An alpha male packaged in an explosive frame, Ray has the traits and skills to be a dominant pass rusher and potential Pro Bowler. He also has the athleticism and strength to play in any defensive front.
Highlights...
And a little about the man himself...