Scouting Profile: Nebraska DE Randy Gregory

Get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class, leading up to the NFL Draft which takes place from April 30 to May 2 in Chicago.

To view our complete list of 2015 prospect profiles, tap here.

Randy Gregory

Position: DE
School: Nebraska
College Experience: Junior
Height: 6-6
Weight: 240 lbs.
Age: 22

Combine Results

Strengths

• Natural athletic ability with impressive length, which he uses to his advantage.
• Proved to be an effective blitzer for Cornhuskers when moved to inside linebacker in the 3-4.
• Impressive swim moves and good hand placement.
• Bursts upfield quickly and able to convert speed to power.
• Offers scheme versatility; could play 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker at NFL level.
• Consistently able to hold his own against bigger offensive linemen and tight ends.
• Finished his career at Nebraska with 17.5 sacks, good for ninth on the school's all-time sacks list. He's the only player on that list to have played less than three seasons.
• Explosive first step and shows great motor and hustle.
• Good sideline-to-sideline movement.

Weaknesses

• Biggest knock is his narrow frame and weight, so he'll likely need to add several pounds regardless of which position he plays in the NFL. He weighed in lighter than expected at the combine, but has said he has no issue gaining or losing weight quickly.
• Durability is also concern, as he missed two games with a knee injury in 2014 and was limited in others. He also sat out the entire 2012 season with a broken leg.
• Tested positive for marijuana at the combine, which could affect his draft stock.
• Production decreased from 2013 to 2014, though injuries may have been a contributing factor.
• Combine results did little to distinguish Gregory as a top pass-rushing prospect, though he improved upon those numbers at Nebraska's pro day.
• Has a tendency to be late off the snap.
• Needs to improve against the run; often gets washed out.
• Has difficulty shedding blocks.
• Limited experience dropping into coverage.
• Could add more pass-rushing moves to his repertoire.

NFL player comparison: Aldon Smith

Like Smith, Gregory boasts a long, lean frame with freakish athleticism and excellent burst off the edge. The big difference between the two players is their weight - Gregory weighed in at 235 pounds at the combine, while Smith was 263 pounds entering the 2011 NFL Draft. 

Ideal fit: Atlanta Falcons

Gregory is a raw talent that will likely need some time to develop at the NFL level. He may not slip to No. 8, but if he does, the Falcons would be wise to snatch him up. Atlanta is in need of a pass rusher and Gregory could be a good long-term fit at the Leo position. He would also benefit from having a defensive line coach like Bryan Cox, whose no-nonsense approach with 2014 second-round pick Ra'Shede Hageman was well documented on Hard Knocks.

Draft Projection: Round 1 (1-10)