Dynasty Scouts Player Profile: Shane Ray

Editor’s Note: This is a Dynasty Scouts exclusive article written by one of our newest writers, Doug Green. Remember, our Dynasty Scouts section focuses on the stars of tomorrow, with a laser focus on High School recruits and College players who look to have the talent to be future assets in dynasty leagues and have value today in devy leagues. Dynasty Scouts articles are found in our Premium Content. We look forward to seeing (or reading) much more of Doug in the future.

There is one word that defines Shane Ray’s game: Speed.

The 6’3” 245 pound redshirt junior has plenty of speed to burn, clocking in with a 4.5 40-yard-dash time. He’s taken that natural speed and turned it into a potential top ten selection.

Ray was the No. 3 prospect coming out high school in Kansas. Ray chose Missouri over Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Clemson, Kansas State and Kansas. His father was a fifth round draft pick in 1981 by the Minnesota Vikings after attending Missouri.

After redshirting his first season, he made 16 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, in 12 games during his freshman season. Last year, he recorded 4.5 sacks and was second on the team with 11 quarterback pressures as the Tigers finished 11-1 and fell to Alabama in the SEC title game. This season, Ray was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American selection.

Each year he has taken a step forward with his production. Next year, he’ll be playing in the NFL.

Game Analysis

Ray’s game is built on speed rushing. Rarely does he employ a bull rush or some other power move to counter. He has an explosive first step, only matched by Clemson’s Vic Beasley in this draft class. He uses his hands to get disengaged and he uses them very well.

His go-to move is the spin, using it to get a step and create the space to get by.

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Once Ray is past the tackle, he is all systems go to the quarterback. That singular focus resulted in 14.5 sacks this season, including five multi-sack games.

Comparing games against Florida from 2013 and 2014 Ray was still productive, even without NFL draftees Kony Ealy and Michael Sam.

Last season Ray was another cog in a pass-rushing machine that obliterated Florida’s offensive line. This year, without Sam and Ealy, the Gators slid their protection to Ray’s side, often chipping with a back or attempting to run away from him. Florida’s scheme was of little use, as he registered six tackles and two sacks, one complete with a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by a teammate.

Ray has a relentless motor, so even if he is swept aside or he overruns the play, he will double-back. His pursuit often leads a quarterback pressure, even if he is unable to get the sack. He shows a willingness to chase down the line on running plays to the other sides as well.

Fit

Ray plays mostly with his hand on the ground, rarely stating in a two-point stance. He is more of a fit for 4-3 team as during my film study as I never saw him drop into coverage. And while he has plenty of lateral quickness and slides along the line, his mentality is to go forward.

Some will point to his 245 pound frame, saying that he is too light to play a 4-3 defensive end. But coupling his lack of coverage experience and prowess with his play in the SEC against some of the best teams week in and week out, a conversion to a 3-4 OLB would be a tricky proposition. He would need to be taught coverage schemes and be asked to not do the very thing he does best. His speed would help him chase receivers across the field, but could he stay with them in traffic or on double-moves?

Draft Prospects

Ray is considered a candidate to be a top ten pick and is in the mix to be the first pass rusher off the board. The most current mock drafts from the scouts at NFL.com has him going as high as third to Jacksonville, but not making it past Chicago at seven. ESPN’s Mel Kiper had him going sixth to the New York Jets in his latest mock draft.

Rush needy teams also sit at eight and nine (Atlanta and the Giants respectively). Matching his skills with the Vikings’ Anthony Barr would give Minnesota, which picks at 11, an exciting young front seven.

NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks said Ray was a “One-trick pony” who rarely uses his second move. Colleague Daniel Jeremiah’s Ask 5 report, where he polls five general managers about a particular player, resulted in a comparison to Von Miller, though Jeremiah said he would not personally rank Ray that high, comparing him more to Seattle’s Cliff Avril. Demarcus Ware, Bruce Irvin, Barkevious Mingo, and Jerry Hughes were other players that Ray has been compared to.

Fantasy Outlook

Ray should be taken early among defensive linemen and edge rushers, but behind the top tier of linebackers if you play in a tackle-heavy league. He is right in the mix with Nebraska’s Randy Gregory and Florida’s Dante Fowler as the top edge rusher in the draft. Where he lands in the NFL draft will impact where you should take him in your rookie draft.

If he happens to land in Oakland, where he could be paired with Kahlil Mack, his value should rise, as he has someone else to help draw the offensive line’s attention and double teams. However, if he lands somewhere like Atlanta, where he becomes the No. 1 pass rush option, he may not generate quite the numbers and excitement. Offensive teams could then slide their protections to his side with little worry of leaving themselves vulnerable to someone else.

A prime landing spot may be a team like Chicago. The Bears need pass rush help on the outside and have Jared Allen to mentor Ray. The only drawback to this scenario is Chicago and new coach John Fox are reportedly looking to change over to a 3-4, and that may not fit Ray’s skills as well.

Wherever he goes in both the NFL and fantasy drafts, you can expect it to be sooner, rather than later.

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