BearsFan51
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This is a guy that's not hard to pin down at all. The question is how worthy is he of being the seventh overall pick in this draft and can he be a game changer?
Strengths:
I'm still in absolute awe every time I watch this kid 's first step explosion. At times he just whips around dudes before they're even out of their stance. That type of first step explosion is rare, it's some of the best I've seen in the last five years. His first step is something he can convert to power because when at OT is cheating outside he can get him off balance in the OTs base and beat him with power. His speed to power conversion ratio is also elite, he need only to learn to use it more consistently as another weapon. Ray's closing speed and pursuit are also elite probably the best in this draft.
Ray also plays with tremendous leverage in the run game often beating the blocker to the point, so much so that he gets away with average hand use. He has a tremendous inside rip move. His change of direction and inside jab step are also elite. He shows potential in coverage, though as Ryan. Pace stated zone coverage isn't as big of a priority.
I watched Terell Suggs play every snap in person at ASU, and each and every snap he played, he played as an undersized defensive end. Suggs obviously has developed into a NFLDPOY. Suggs had to develop his game in each and every way Ray would have to. I don't know if Ray can become Suggs, but that's a template for a guy who didn't play a down as a linebacker who became a stud OLB.
There are signs of the potential to develop with more reps.
Weaknesses:
Ray may be maxed out athletically, at least he looks that way on tape. I don't know if he'll grow much more from a muscular standpoint. Gregory is a guy you expect to be able to add more weight to his frame, Ray I'm not certain he will get much above 255 thought that may be plenty. Ray is not a fluid athlete like Dupree or Beasely. He's not going to back pedal and transition well likely a safety or other zone linebacker. He's not lost in coverage but coverage is not a strength. But will that be his role in this defense? Probably not and I think it's key not to over analyze how fluid an athlete he needs to be. It's a desirable quality but not a necessity.
Suggs had three years and 44 sacks in those three years, 10 as a true freshman who converted from a prep RB, added another 10 and then exploded for 24 sacks as a true junior. Ray has one year as a starter, but did well against some solid competition is that enough to project him going forward? I want to see more hand use from Ray, more bullying the blocker a hump move extension to keep the blocker out of his body. An ability to transition back inside using his hands as his primary weapon.
Sometimes I wonder if a Ray is too much of a one-dimensional rusher because he so often wins with his first step outside rush move. He does have the jab step, but overall I'd like to see a more complete product. Obviously all these can be taught though it may be a hard habit to break.
I think the thing I like most from Ray is despite his reliance on speed he never seems to be overwhelmed or engulfed by the blocker. He shows some ability to stand up and go man to man with anyone. It's not something he does often but he can win those battles with his smart leverage.
Overall if he's the pick at seven I won't be disappointed with the pick. I'll nod my head and look forward to day two.
Strengths:
I'm still in absolute awe every time I watch this kid 's first step explosion. At times he just whips around dudes before they're even out of their stance. That type of first step explosion is rare, it's some of the best I've seen in the last five years. His first step is something he can convert to power because when at OT is cheating outside he can get him off balance in the OTs base and beat him with power. His speed to power conversion ratio is also elite, he need only to learn to use it more consistently as another weapon. Ray's closing speed and pursuit are also elite probably the best in this draft.
Ray also plays with tremendous leverage in the run game often beating the blocker to the point, so much so that he gets away with average hand use. He has a tremendous inside rip move. His change of direction and inside jab step are also elite. He shows potential in coverage, though as Ryan. Pace stated zone coverage isn't as big of a priority.
I watched Terell Suggs play every snap in person at ASU, and each and every snap he played, he played as an undersized defensive end. Suggs obviously has developed into a NFLDPOY. Suggs had to develop his game in each and every way Ray would have to. I don't know if Ray can become Suggs, but that's a template for a guy who didn't play a down as a linebacker who became a stud OLB.
There are signs of the potential to develop with more reps.
Weaknesses:
Ray may be maxed out athletically, at least he looks that way on tape. I don't know if he'll grow much more from a muscular standpoint. Gregory is a guy you expect to be able to add more weight to his frame, Ray I'm not certain he will get much above 255 thought that may be plenty. Ray is not a fluid athlete like Dupree or Beasely. He's not going to back pedal and transition well likely a safety or other zone linebacker. He's not lost in coverage but coverage is not a strength. But will that be his role in this defense? Probably not and I think it's key not to over analyze how fluid an athlete he needs to be. It's a desirable quality but not a necessity.
Suggs had three years and 44 sacks in those three years, 10 as a true freshman who converted from a prep RB, added another 10 and then exploded for 24 sacks as a true junior. Ray has one year as a starter, but did well against some solid competition is that enough to project him going forward? I want to see more hand use from Ray, more bullying the blocker a hump move extension to keep the blocker out of his body. An ability to transition back inside using his hands as his primary weapon.
Sometimes I wonder if a Ray is too much of a one-dimensional rusher because he so often wins with his first step outside rush move. He does have the jab step, but overall I'd like to see a more complete product. Obviously all these can be taught though it may be a hard habit to break.
I think the thing I like most from Ray is despite his reliance on speed he never seems to be overwhelmed or engulfed by the blocker. He shows some ability to stand up and go man to man with anyone. It's not something he does often but he can win those battles with his smart leverage.
Overall if he's the pick at seven I won't be disappointed with the pick. I'll nod my head and look forward to day two.
