Ranking the Top 15 Edge Rusher Prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

1. Randy Gregory, 6’5, 235, Nebraska

Even though he showed up to the combine 15 pounds lighter than the lightest of the NFL’s top 40 sack leaders during 2014, Gregory is the top edge rusher prospect in this year’s draft class. His ceiling is to end up as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he’ll be very intriguing to two 4-3 teams inside the top 10, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons, who are both trying to replicate the Seattle Seahawks’ defense and need a “LEO” linebacker, just like Bruce Irvin, to properly execute the scheme.

Gregory is relentless and consistently plays to the whistle. He’s a great athlete who does a good job of getting off the line of scrimmage quickly and has exceptional closing speed. He’s more than solid as a run defender and would fit right in if asked to play linebacker in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

Gregory needs to add more bulk so that he doesn’t get thrown around by offensive linemen like he did at times during his college career. He also needs to develop a signature pass rush move since he doesn’t really pose a threat as a power rusher.

Prior to the combine, Gregory seemed to be almost a certainty to be the first edge rusher off the board in this year’s draft. His weigh-in in Indianapolis may have put that in jeopardy, even though he blamed it on a weight loss soon before the combine which was the result of a serious illness. His weigh-in at his pro day could do a lot to calm teams’ concerns on this issue.

Regardless of his weight, Gregory has the best upside of any edge rusher in this class, and it would be shocking if he didn’t come off the board in the top ten.

Next: 2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Georgia WR Chris Conley