4. Randy Gregory, Nebraska
Were it not for his multiple violations of substance abuse dating back to college that include a failed drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine of all places, Gregory would be No. 2 on this list.
At 6’5″ and 235 lbs, Gregory has the size of an ideal pass rusher (though he could stand to gain about 20 lbs or so) and has the speed of a much smaller man. He was a beast at Nebraska, frequently finding himself in opposing backfields and racking up 10 tackles for loss and 7 sacks along with two blocked kicks. Gregory has the potential to be a star pass rusher similar to Von Miller or DeMarcus Ware.
But Gregory has failed the idiot test: He tested positive for marijuana at the Combine and then said it was residual from when he had smoked back in December – which would almost make it worse since one would need to smoke an incredible amount of marijuana for it to stay in a body for two whole months. Gregory comes in to the NFL already with one strike, and as players who consistently engage in foolish behavior like Josh Gordon, LaRon Landry, Johnny Manziel and most recently Dion Jordan have proven, they tend to struggle mightily to stop being foolish. That, above any physical trait, it why Gregory will fall out of the top 10 in the NFL Draft.
Projection: Top 20 overall
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