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TFE Scouting Report - Shane Ray
Posted on 2/2/15 at 3:38 pm
Posted on 2/2/15 at 3:38 pm
TFE's NFL Draft Lead writer Brandon Thorn breaks down his #2 rated Edge player for the 2015 NFL Draft with an in-depth, NFL style scouting report. Feedback is very much appreciated!
Full Report: LINK
Summary:
Ray is an RS Jr, a three year contributor and just a one year starter due to the high level of talent at Missouri. Ray had to wait his turn behind the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year Michael Sam. Ray made the most of his opportunity in ’14 and not only won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year but was a consensus first-team All-American and broke the single season school-record for sacks and tackles for loss. Ray finished his career with 120 total tackles, 82 solo, 34 TFL, 17.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery (73-yard TD) and a blocked kick. He finished his record-breaking ’14 season with 65 TT, 47 solo, 22.5 TFL, 13 sacks, 3 FF, 1 blocked kick.
Ray is a well-built, muscular, balanced human with a slightly more developed upper half than lower. He has the frame to be able to add the necessary weight to be an every down player in the future (10-12 pounds). He has tremendous control over his body paired with elite athleticism, allowing him to start/stop on a dime and change directions with ease. He is smooth and crisp in his movements, specifically up field and laterally. Against the pass he sets up OL outside and comes back inside with a devastating rip move thats nearly unstoppable due to his insane burst/suddenness. Incredibly active/quick foot fire that really factor in when he’s kicked inside as a three technique on passing downs. Doesn’t possess many moves aside from the rip and needs work on his bull rush which is very ineffective. He doesn’t hold up well at the POA due to lack of sand, standing straight up, or by not keeping his shoulders square. His hands are very fast but not nearly as powerful. Needs to continue to work hard in the weight room, gain weight/strength, particularly in his lower half, and play with better leverage vs the run. His excellent speed enable him to track down ballcarriers and outrun angles. What makes him so dynamic is his tremendous motor. He plays with his hair on fire and is extremely aggressive in all his actions on the field (out of his stance, on contact, running down people) and isn’t afraid to risk his body. His high level of intensity can work against him at times as he will get such a full head of steam he loses his balance and his feet get tangled, specifically when running the loop. He needs to learn how to stay under control more consistently. He pursues backside consistently and very well with his speed/effort combo. Snaps his hips on contact and has the ability to deliver the big hit. In coverage he can snap his hips, turn, and explode seamlessly but lacks much experience in this aspect from the tapes I’ve seen. Ray is the prototypical 3-4 OLB and would excel most in that spot on the next level. He will be one of the more explosive and athletic pass rushers as soon as he steps on the field in the NFL. Ray needs time in the weight room to develop sand and overall functional strength plus develop a couple counter moves before he is an every down player. Initially, Ray will be able to generate pressure/penetration from multiple spots (off the edge and as a three technique in nickel/dime situations) and with time should develop into a perennial pro bowler and difference maker.
Pro Comp – Shawne Merriman
Full Report: LINK
Summary:
Ray is an RS Jr, a three year contributor and just a one year starter due to the high level of talent at Missouri. Ray had to wait his turn behind the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year Michael Sam. Ray made the most of his opportunity in ’14 and not only won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year but was a consensus first-team All-American and broke the single season school-record for sacks and tackles for loss. Ray finished his career with 120 total tackles, 82 solo, 34 TFL, 17.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery (73-yard TD) and a blocked kick. He finished his record-breaking ’14 season with 65 TT, 47 solo, 22.5 TFL, 13 sacks, 3 FF, 1 blocked kick.
Ray is a well-built, muscular, balanced human with a slightly more developed upper half than lower. He has the frame to be able to add the necessary weight to be an every down player in the future (10-12 pounds). He has tremendous control over his body paired with elite athleticism, allowing him to start/stop on a dime and change directions with ease. He is smooth and crisp in his movements, specifically up field and laterally. Against the pass he sets up OL outside and comes back inside with a devastating rip move thats nearly unstoppable due to his insane burst/suddenness. Incredibly active/quick foot fire that really factor in when he’s kicked inside as a three technique on passing downs. Doesn’t possess many moves aside from the rip and needs work on his bull rush which is very ineffective. He doesn’t hold up well at the POA due to lack of sand, standing straight up, or by not keeping his shoulders square. His hands are very fast but not nearly as powerful. Needs to continue to work hard in the weight room, gain weight/strength, particularly in his lower half, and play with better leverage vs the run. His excellent speed enable him to track down ballcarriers and outrun angles. What makes him so dynamic is his tremendous motor. He plays with his hair on fire and is extremely aggressive in all his actions on the field (out of his stance, on contact, running down people) and isn’t afraid to risk his body. His high level of intensity can work against him at times as he will get such a full head of steam he loses his balance and his feet get tangled, specifically when running the loop. He needs to learn how to stay under control more consistently. He pursues backside consistently and very well with his speed/effort combo. Snaps his hips on contact and has the ability to deliver the big hit. In coverage he can snap his hips, turn, and explode seamlessly but lacks much experience in this aspect from the tapes I’ve seen. Ray is the prototypical 3-4 OLB and would excel most in that spot on the next level. He will be one of the more explosive and athletic pass rushers as soon as he steps on the field in the NFL. Ray needs time in the weight room to develop sand and overall functional strength plus develop a couple counter moves before he is an every down player. Initially, Ray will be able to generate pressure/penetration from multiple spots (off the edge and as a three technique in nickel/dime situations) and with time should develop into a perennial pro bowler and difference maker.
Pro Comp – Shawne Merriman
2
Posted on 2/2/15 at 4:29 pm to BThorn86
Good analysis. Especially citing a "high level of talent at Missouri."
Posted on 2/2/15 at 4:41 pm to roadhouse
I'm no expert so it all sounds good to me. 
I'd be really interested in your analysis of Golden. Golden played with a bad ham string most of the year but still put up solid numbers. While there are probably some strengths that Ray has over him, I think there are other things that Golden shows better than Ray.
Thanks for sharing.
I'd be really interested in your analysis of Golden. Golden played with a bad ham string most of the year but still put up solid numbers. While there are probably some strengths that Ray has over him, I think there are other things that Golden shows better than Ray.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted on 2/2/15 at 7:25 pm to reedus23
Thanks for the feedback guys, its much appreciated. I think Golden is better vs the run than Ray due to being stronger at the POA and he also plays with a high motor. He isn't close to the athlete Ray is, but he's a solid day 2 prospect IMO. I haven't studied Golden but saw him all week at the Senior Bowl. Looks like a very good backup with the ability to start here and there effectively in the NFL.
Posted on 2/2/15 at 7:42 pm to BThorn86
What about Marcus Murphy if you were at the Senior Bowl?
Posted on 2/2/15 at 7:42 pm to BThorn86
Ray is the prototypical 3-4 OLB and would excel most in that spot on the next level.
This is a fair analysis but I think that he has the tools and ability in the long run to put his hand in the dirt and play in traditional 4-3 defenses. Its going to take some dedication at the next level to develop that ability and strength but I wouldnt count him out as being a viable undersized DE in a 4-3 at the NFL level.
This is a fair analysis but I think that he has the tools and ability in the long run to put his hand in the dirt and play in traditional 4-3 defenses. Its going to take some dedication at the next level to develop that ability and strength but I wouldnt count him out as being a viable undersized DE in a 4-3 at the NFL level.
This post was edited on 2/2/15 at 7:44 pm
Posted on 2/2/15 at 8:32 pm to kilo
Kilo. I agree with you. As usual. Another thing about both Ray and Golden, but especially Ray - he plays mad. With bad intentions. They both play with a chip on their shoulder, and l like that in defensive players. If they get a hand on someone, that person is going down and will feel it the next day.
Posted on 2/2/15 at 10:52 pm to BThorn86
BThorn86,
Nice freaking work man. I enjoyed it.
Nice freaking work man. I enjoyed it.
Posted on 2/2/15 at 10:56 pm to surgicalvenom
Now can I give you feedback on your mock draft??? 
Posted on 2/2/15 at 10:58 pm to surgicalvenom
quote:
Nice freaking work man. I enjoyed it.
I agree. I should have qualified my comment earlier. Great write up on Ray.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 2:42 pm to kilo
MUCH appreciated guys, thank you. I try and be as thorough as I possibly can with my evals. I know Ray has some things he needs to work on like getting his lower body developed more in terms of strength and converting his insane speed to power more effectively, but his motor paired with his insane explosion is what really sold me. Like you guys said and I wrote in my report, he plays mad and I think it can help cover some of his weaknesses initially.
I'd post more reports, but for now he's the only Mizzou guy I've wrote up.
Hit me up sometime on Twitter for a lot more @VeteranScout
I'd post more reports, but for now he's the only Mizzou guy I've wrote up.
Hit me up sometime on Twitter for a lot more @VeteranScout
Posted on 2/3/15 at 2:43 pm to reedus23
Sure..lol but you are keeping in mind the last time I updated my mock was Jan 1st, right? I just revamped my Big Board though..the mock will get updated within a week.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 2:47 pm to BThorn86
I was really just kidding. Mock drafts are a crap shoot IMO. Just the fact that it's very difficult to predict what trades are going to be made make it tough to pin point who goes where. 100 experts could all do a mock draft and each one is going to be different, much less some schmo like me on a message board.
Thanks again.
And if you ever get around to any of the other write ups, please feel free to share.
Thanks again.
And if you ever get around to any of the other write ups, please feel free to share.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 2:51 pm to BThorn86
FWIW, I think it was a great analysis.
Being Mizzou fans, we obviously love both Ray and Golden, and we're hoping to see them do well in the league. Golden is special because he committed, but didn't make grades and had to go JUCO for 2 years. He never wavered in his commitment to Mizzou, and the coaches never gave up on him. He came to Mizzou as a LB, and they converted him to DE. He always had a great attitude and will work hard to be productive for whichever team is fortunate enough to get him.
Ray had it a little easier, but is also an incredibly hard worker. The team that gets him will have a potential star.
Last year, people I talked to said I was crazy when I said our DL would better in 2014 than in 2013. Everyone was sure we would take a major step back after losing Sam and Ealy. But Golden and Ray are special players. Not sure what next season will bring, we didn't see too much of their backups.
Being Mizzou fans, we obviously love both Ray and Golden, and we're hoping to see them do well in the league. Golden is special because he committed, but didn't make grades and had to go JUCO for 2 years. He never wavered in his commitment to Mizzou, and the coaches never gave up on him. He came to Mizzou as a LB, and they converted him to DE. He always had a great attitude and will work hard to be productive for whichever team is fortunate enough to get him.
Ray had it a little easier, but is also an incredibly hard worker. The team that gets him will have a potential star.
Last year, people I talked to said I was crazy when I said our DL would better in 2014 than in 2013. Everyone was sure we would take a major step back after losing Sam and Ealy. But Golden and Ray are special players. Not sure what next season will bring, we didn't see too much of their backups.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 2:57 pm to semotruman
Next year will be a bit of a step back, though I think Harris and Loud will be as good as Sam, Ealy, Ray or Golden in their 2nd years. By the time they're juniors/seniors, I think they'll be every bit as good.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 5:05 pm to reedus23
I like Goldens ceiling. I think he has good potential as a DE in the league. He at times appears to remind me some of Tamba Hali. He has the same body type. Ray's game reminds me of Derrick Thomas as a pass rusher or Derrick Johnson as a true middle type LB. Just with a nasty attitude on the field. Dude is mean, meant in a positive way. Just opinion here.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 5:22 pm to reedus23
I think Loud will be the 3rd DE to play behind Harris and the JUCO DE. Could be a good trio with all 3 being Sophomores.
So next year may be a step back for the DE position, it will be countered by a step up in DT play.
Could have this DL group for the next 2 years.
So next year may be a step back for the DE position, it will be countered by a step up in DT play.
Could have this DL group for the next 2 years.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 5:30 pm to wubilli
Brantley's gone after next year assuming he continues at this pace.
If we land Beckner, though, this line could be unbelievable. You could line him up inside or outside.
If we land Beckner, though, this line could be unbelievable. You could line him up inside or outside.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 6:49 pm to reedus23
Yea I've mentioned that Brantley could be gone after next year, but with the defense as a whole they should be exciting the next few years. Only 4 seniors next year in D, maybe 5 if browning wins the Saftey position.
Posted on 2/4/15 at 6:44 pm to semotruman
Thanks bro. The info on Golden is dually noted, too. Didn't know all of that background.
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