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Chicago Bears Draft Profiles: Randy Gregory

By Kyle Brutman

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The final episode of the Chicago Bears Draft Profiles is here. This series goes through the top-three players that best fit the Bears’ No. 7 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The first two episodes featured West Virginia receiver Kevin White and Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton. Concluding the trilogy will be the defensive end/outside linebacker from Nebraska, Randy Gregory.

Gregory, like White, transferred to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) after two years in a lower tier league, leaving Arizona Western College after the 2012 season to attend Nebraska. In his first season for the Cornhuskers, he led the Big Ten in sacks (10.5) and was named to the conference’s first team. Three of his sacks came in a hotly-contested 17-14 win against conference rival Michigan.

Gregory compiled another seven sacks and 54 tackles–10 for loss–in his final season in a Nebraska uniform. His 17.5 career sacks ranks ninth on the program’s all-time list, with Gregory being the only player on the list with fewer than three seasons under his belt. He was named to the Associated Press’ All-America third team last year.

Gregory, standing at 6’5″ and 235 pounds, is on the leaner side, so he may have problems getting pushed around by NFL offensive linemen. But don’t let his size fool you, as he showed great proficiency in handling tight ends on the college level. This problem will be less prevalent on the next level as he will most likely be utilized as a pass rusher in a 3-4 scheme.

Nov 9, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) is taken down by Nebraska Cornhuskers safety LeRoy Alexander (18) and defensive end Randy Gregory (44) in the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Gregory’s style of play calls for a combination of power and body length. With arms 34 inches in length and 10-inch hands, Gregory has the physically-gifted tools to successfully power his way through the with the use of his upper extremities.

Gregory uses his arms and hands to push around pass blockers to get to the quarterback with great consistency. He could use some strengthening in his lower body, as players on the next level tend to be bigger, so it will be harder for him to succeed with upper-body strength alone.

Gregory’s quickness on the line will allow him to take advantage of slower blockers, as he can quickly switch from an outside move to an inside move, and vice-versa. He presents a wide array of moves to the table, so he tends to be unpredictable in his moves on the line.

His  length helps his case a ton in the 3-4 defense. He has proven that he can be a dangerous edge rusher, with a quick first step and the ability to turn the corner on the outside with tremendous speed. The tape also shows that he is relentless when in pursuit of the ball carrier, as he tends to not give up on plays all that often. Once behind the line, he is a hard man to get away from, as proven by his 4.64 40-yard time at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine.

While Gregory is probably the best edge rusher in the draft, he comes with some baggage. He missed the 2012 season with a broken leg and missed the first two games last year with a leg/knee injury. His draft stock took a hit when he tested positive for marijuana at the combine, to go along with multiple failed drug tests while at Nebraska.

If drafted by the Bears, Gregory will add to an outside linebacker unit that includes Jared Allen and the newly-acquired Pernell McPhee. With the adjustment of Allen into the unit and the durability of the injury-prone Lamarr Houston in question, Gregory would add some certainty, as well as great pass rushing ability, to a position that is in a state of some uncertainty.

With the conclusion of the third and final episode of the Chicago Bears Draft Profiles series, the pondering of who I think the Bears will take in the No. 7 spot shall begin. Will it be the dynamic skill player Kevin White, the well-groomed giant of a nose tackle Danny Shelton or the quarterback-hungry Randy Gregory?

Come Wednesday morning, the answer will be revealed, as the first and only Chicago Bears seven-round mock draft that I will carefully articulate will be released. Until then, happy pondering.

Next: Chicago Bears Draft Profiles: Danny Shelton

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