The NFL draft is coming up in a month and one of the top prospects in Randy Gregory could be slipping down some boards after testing positive for marijuana at the combine and this comes as teams like the Atlanta Falcons, NY Jets, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and St. Louis Rams have shown interest in the Nebraska prospect.
Gregory is coming out of college as one of the top defensive ends/linebackers in the draft and many teams have identified him as a potential option in the first round. According to ESPN.com, Gregory spoke with NFL.com about the test, saying that he blames himself and that he has made strides this year and is working hard to deal with his off the field issues. Scouts see Gregory as a first round talent, but he could slip out of the top 10 or the first round altogether with his positive test.
The Atlanta Falcons and NY Jets have both been mentioned as potential landing spots for Gregory, while the Redskins, Bears and Rams also could be interested. Gregory said to NFL.com that he previously started smoking weed after high school and that he also had multiple positive tests while at Nebraska. Gregory said that the test at the combine was not due to any recent use of drugs and that the marijuana had been in his system since back in December.
Gregory said that he is focused on making his "dream" happen by playing in the NFL and that he is working hard to show that he is a different person to teams. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. rates Gregory as one of the top players in the draft and he predicted the Bears could pick him, while Todd McShay listed him as going to Washington at number five.
The positive testy could send Gregory down some draft boards, but with McShay ranking Gregory as the best outside linebacker in the draft, a team could get a value pick later in the first round. Gregory said that he did not hide his past issues with teams while speaking at the draft and there is still a chance he could go high if teams feel that he is over his issues.
Gregory comes in after putting up strong numbers in his two seasons at Nebraska and he was first in the Big Ten conference in 2013 in sacks. Gregory had 7.0 sacks last season with 23 solo tackles and he also had one interception and one forced fumble. Gregory had a strong season in 2013 with 10.5 sacks and he also had one interception and 66 total tackles for the Huskers. Vaughn McClure writes that the Falcons have been looking at Grgeory and despite the test he should stay on their draft board because they desperately need a pass rusher.
Rich Cimini at ESPN New York writes that the Jets have looked at Gregory as a potential option, but his positive test could keep the team from picking him in the draft. The Jets have the number six overall pick and while they are looking for a strong pass rusher this offseason, they may not want to use a high pick on a player with red flags. That pick could carry over $15 million for the rookie contract and that may be too much for the Jets to risk.
