Latest On Missouri DE/OLB Shane Ray

Update:

Ian Rapoport reports that Missouri DE/OLB Shane Ray plans to attend the draft in Chicago and it’s still a “strong possibility” that he will be selected in round one.

• Rapoport mentioned that NFL teams drafting in the mid-to-late first round are now doing more work on Ray following his recent citation for marijuana possession.
• According to Rapoport, Ray has already spoken with many of them.
• NFL owners and GMs are trying to determine what the real story is with Ray’s recent incident.
• Rapoport adds that teams that never had a chance on him before are now inquiring.

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Former Buccaneers GM Mark Dominik mentioned that Missouri DE/OLB Shane Ray’s recent marijuana citation could force him to drop out of round one and into the third or fourth round range.

“This changes Shane Ray dramatically because it’s, to me, such a poor decision this close to the draft. It’s the decision making. What is this guy going to do on Friday or Saturday night before a big game? Is he going to make another poor choice like this? The timing is so bad, and the foot issue, tells me that this guy isn’t just dropping out of the first round, he’s dropping to the third or fourth round now,” Dominik said on Mike & Mike, via Pro Football Talk. “I know he’s dropping out of the first round. I don’t see any way he’s going in the first round.”

• Daniel Jeremiah spoke to a few NFL executives last night regarding Ray’s recent citation for marijuana possession who mentioned that the citation isn’t the real issue, it’s the timing of the incident.
• According to Albert Breer, a failed drug test from Ray early on his in college career is likely to come back to haunt him following Monday’s incident.
• Breer adds that clubs were willing to overlook the first offense, but the recent issue will change things from their perspective.

There were already concerns about Ray’s foot injury and how this could impact his draft stock, so this is hardly the type of news that will keep him from dropping out of round one.

A specialist suggested last week that Ray should allow his foot injury time to heal and believes he won’t need surgery.

In terms of talent, Ray probably should be a first-round pick, but it’s just too hard to overlook how poor of a decision this was just days before the draft. Some team could end up getting a good player at a great value, especially if he drops out of round two.

During his three years at Missouri, Ray recorded 120 tackles, 19 sacks, five forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown.

We have the Saints taking Ray in our recently updated two-round NFL Mock Draft.