Will Shane Ray News Impact the Steelers Draft Plans?

Missouri edge rusher Shane Ray appears to be this year’s version of the NFL Draft’s “Falling Star.” Despite Randy Gregory’s marijuana issues, it doesn’t look like the Nebraska product is going anywhere.

For Ray though, the problem is his foot which it sounds like will need surgery.

I bang the drum for Shane Ray as loudly as anyone, but I'm hearing more and more concerns about his foot and I think he ends up sliding.

— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) April 22, 2015

Zierlein is an extremely knowledgeable guy and one I trust when it comes to the Draft so when he voices concerns I listen.

To this point, Ray has been viewed as anywhere from the top pass rusher to the fifth-best pass rusher in the draft.

The biggest asset he has is his speed which from his defensive end spot in Missouri’s 4-3 he was exceptionally good. Ray collected 14 sacks and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2014.

The knock on Ray is that he lacks the length you look for in a traditional 3-4 outside linebacker. While the speed moves are there, he lacks any real variety to his pass rushing technique and that will cause him problems against the better offensive tackles.

Steelers’ Head Coach Mike Tomlin was reportedly quite taken with Ray during Missouri’s Pro Day. He spent a lot of time chatting him up and even barked at him a few times during his drills. This doesn’t mean jack squat in terms of whether the Steelers overall like him, but we certainly can’t rule him.

If Ray is there at 22, do the Steelers take him? Zierlein has since reported that surgery could put him on the shelf for five months. Personally, I don’t think you can take that risk with a first rounder. But in the second?

That I can see.