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Missouri defensive end Shane Ray was cited for pot possession earlier this week. Many draft “experts” predicted Ray was likely to fall all the way out of the first round as a result, but it’s looking increasingly likely that won’t happen. According to former NFL personnel man Russ Lande, the Atlanta Falcons have already told Ray that he’ll be their selection with the No. 8 pick.
Heard that Falcons told Missouri DE S. Ray that they will draft him 7th overall, The Packers are targeting LB D. Perryman with the (2 of 3)
— Russell Lande (@RUSSLANDE) April 29, 2015
Lande accidentally said No. 7, but Atlanta has the No. 8 pick. Ray is one of the best pass rushers in the draft and the Falcons desperately needed all the help on the defensive side of the ball they can get. I find it hard to believe that a team would guarantee something like that to a player, but it’s rumored to have happened before.
The draft gets underway in under an hour, so we’ll see if this rumor has any truth to it pretty soon.
