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Evaluating Randy Gregory’s 2015 NFL Draft Stock

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By @Spencer_NFL

Randy Gregory Nebraska

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After allowing 581 yards rushing to Wisconsin, you wouldn’t think any member of the Nebraska Cornhuskers‘ defense could possible be a first-round NFL Draft prospect. However, that’s exactly what DE Randy Gregory is. He’s even a candidate to be selected with the first overall pick.

After 10.5 sacks season last year, Gregory has 5.5 through eight games this season. He isn’t the strongest defensive end, but he has great quickness and agility which allows him to prevent offensive tackles from engaging. When he isn’t able to pressure the QB, he gets his hands up to deflect passes.

Although he has a lean frame (6-foot-6, 240 pounds), his toughness won’t be questioned. Gregory underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during the season and only missed one game. He’ll likely need to put on some weight in order to play DE at the NFL level.

Scouts are going to have to look at the Wisconsin tape and determine whether or not this was just a fluke. Gregory, as well as the rest of the Nebraska defense, was dominated by the Badgers’ offensive line. RB Melvin Gordon gained 158 of his FBS single-game record 408 rushing yards running right at Gregory.

Contrary to the Wisconsin game, he performed well against the run versus the Miami Hurricanes and Michigan State Spartans. He was pushed off the line a couple times, but there were several plays in which he outran the running back to the edge. He has the speed and awareness to stop the run; he just needs to learn how to shed blocks.

He’s a very raw prospect and he’s consistently matched up with the opponent’s top OT. These are contributing factors to his weakness in the run game, but they can be improved upon.

He has a chance to show improvement in Nebraska’s final two regular season games. Minnesota has a top RB in David Cobb, and Iowa has perhaps the best left tackle in college football, Brandon Scherff. Although the Wisconsin game will be hard for critics to forget, Gregory has an opportunity to finish the year on a positive note.

Although Gregory has played less than two years of major college football, he’s ready for the NFL. The junior will likely declare for the NFL Draft and be selected within the first five picks. In fact, he’s an ideal fit for the Oakland Raiders at No. 1. Leonard Williams of USC may be the higher-rated DE prospect, but Gregory is a better fit in the Raiders’ 4-3 scheme.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related:

Evaluating Melvin Gordon’s Draft Stock After Record-Setting Performance
 Evaluating Brett Hundley’s 2015 NFL Draft Stock
 Evaluating Cedric Ogbuehi’s 2015 NFL Draft Stock

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