Between now and the draft, we'll take an up-close look at the leading candidates for the New York Jets, who own the sixth pick. Previously featured were Amari Cooper, Dante Fowler Jr., Vic Beasley and Brandon Scherff.
Player: Randy Gregory, OLB/DE, Nebraska
Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 235 pounds
Scouts, Inc. overall ranking: 11th
Why the Jets should draft him: Gregory might be the most naturally gifted pass-rusher in the draft, and the Jets' pass rush could use an injection of youth. Outside linebackers Calvin Pace and Jason Babin will be 34 years old for the season, so the Jets need to start planning for the future. Gregory would help the four-man rush, which struggled last season. When rushing four on third down, the Jets allowed a Total QBR of 66.4, which ranked 20th in the league, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Why they should pass: Gregory tested positive for marijuana at the scouting combine, later acknowledging he also flunked two tests in two seasons at Nebraska. He wasn't suspended, telling NFL.com he was warned by the school that a third strike would result in his dismissal from the team. By rule, he's in Stage 1 of the NFL's substance-abuse program, which means he's one step closer to a suspension than the clean incoming players. It's a risk-reward decision for the Jets, who would have to pay him about $18 million guaranteed. Are the positive tests a red flag or a wake-up call? The Jets have performed a lot of background work in an attempt to answer that question.
Scouting report: He's straight out of central casting, with arms that go on forever (34 inches) and an 82-inch wingspan. He's a former basketball player with excellent speed, range and burst. He's not afraid to mix it up with offensive linemen and his motor runs consistently. At Nebraska, he played mostly as a down lineman (left and right end). In fact, 13.5 of his 17.5 sacks at Nebraska (2013-2014) came when he lined up in a three- or four-point stance (hands on the ground). For the Jets, he'd project as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He committed to Purdue out of high school, but he didn't qualify academically and spent two years at Arizona Western Community College.
Key stats: Gregory was a productive player in 24 games with the Cornhuskers, producing 29 tackles-for-loss. He was actually better in 2013, leading the Big Ten in tackles-for-loss (19) and sacks (10.5). His 40 time at the combine was an impressive 4.64 seconds, including 1.61 seconds in the 10-yard split. Get this: He averaged 2.77 seconds from snap to contact on his sacks last season. Of the players ranked in the top 15 at each of the front-seven positions, that ranks fifth among 23 players with at least four first-contact sacks.
Red flags: There are plenty. Aside from the drug tests, there are questions about his weight fluctuation. It ranged from 220 to 250 at Nebraska, prompting concern about whether he'll be able to maintain weight in the NFL. A stomach ailment reportedly was the reason he weighed only 235 at the combine. He's had a broken leg (2012), arthroscopic knee surgery (August, 2014) and a concussion (November, 2014).
What scouts are saying: NFL Network's Mike Mayock: "I look at this kid as the ultimate boom or bust. Three years from now, he’s either going to be in the Pro Bowl or he’s going to be out of the league." ... NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah: "I had Randy Gregory as my top edge rusher, and once I started getting wind of the stuff off the field, I moved him behind Dante Fowler, so I continue to move him down a little bit, but ability-wise, I would put him up with anybody."
Gregory in his own words: "I don't wake up every day saying, I'd really love to go smoke. It's not a struggle for me every day (now), it really isn't. In the past, hell yeah, it's been a struggle. It really has been. Now, I'm focused on my dream" (via NFL.com) ... "Growing up, I really liked Osi Umenyiora, Aldon Smith, Von Miller. I’m a real big fan of a lot of guys. A lot of time, I just put on YouTube and watch film. Growing up, I used to just sit back and watch the NFL. Now I really sit back and break down the game and look at how they pass rush."