Denver Broncos: Expect big things from Shane Ray

By Luis Tirado Jr. | May 21, 2015

Shane Ray had his fair share of trouble heading into the 2015 NFL Draft but the Denver Broncos know talent when they see it. They traded up in the first round to secure his talents and he should be able to immediately contribute in terms of the pass rush.

What should fans of the Broncos expect out of his rookie season? Right off the bat, he’s dealing with a severe turf toe injury he sustained last year at Missouri. He was in a walking boot for most of January and will be slowly eased into OTAs and team practices until he’s fully cleared to resume full football activities.

Considering that his explosive speed will be a great sight to see on the Broncos’ defense, his abilities might be a bit hindered depending on how his injury heals up now during the offseason. It’s the kind of injury that if it doesn’t heal properly the first time around, could come back and be a nagging one for the rest of the season.

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In his collegiate career at Missouri which lasted three seasons, Ray contributed some pretty solid statistics. With 120 tackles, 19.0 sacks and five forced fumbles, Ray will absolutely bring that kind of aggression to the Broncos.

November 9, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) is congratulated by defensive end DeMarcus Ware (94) during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 41-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Expected to be used in situational defensive schemes, especially on third down, Ray will most likely be used in rotation with defensive end DeMarcus Ware. It’s important to ensure that Ware doesn’t get too burned out in his second season with the team. His longevity and health will be crucial towards the end of the season as it also gives Ray some great experience when the games start to truly matter.

Before his incident of getting a citation due to possession of marijuana, Ray was actually projected to be a top-ten draft pick. Most teams didn’t want to take any part of drafting a risky player that could cause more harm than good but the Broncos knew his upside is tremendous. It’s just the kind of talent you can’t pass up on since it addresses a major team need.

Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Shane Ray (56) tackles Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Blake Sims (6) during the second quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. The play caused Ray to be ejected from the game for targeting. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Ray’s mistake will be long forgotten once he backs up his potential on the football field. If he can be that quality depth as a defensive end or outside linebacker for the Broncos, he could be quite the surprise come next season. One that can light up the Broncos’ defense and spark that part of the team to deliver just enough to make a return to the Super Bowl.

One of the areas of weakness for the Broncos last season was their pass rush. The window and era of quarterback Peyton Manning on the Broncos is itching closer to coming to an end. The Broncos must make sure they surround him with the support needed to succeed, which includes ensuring he’s on the field more than off it thanks to their defense shutting down opponents on a consistent basis.

The more opportunities Manning has to run his offense right to the endzone the better things will be as it all starts with a tremendous pass rush and getting the football into his hands often. Ray will definitely be a force to reckon with this upcoming season and will prove to his critics that he was worth investing in all along.

Next: Denver Broncos: Offseason Questions Yield Glory or Doom?

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