Ray reportedly in NFL drug program, former GM believes he'll slip out of 1st round
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik says Shane Ray's recent citation for marijuana possession could cost the defensive end prospect dearly.
As a result of the citation, Ray will reportedly be automatically enrolled in Phase 1 of the NFL's substance abuse program.
"This changes Shane Ray dramatically because it’s, to me, such a poor decision this close to the draft," Dominik said on ESPN's "Mike & Mike."
"It’s the decision making. What is this kid going to do on Friday or Saturday night before a big game? Is he going to make another poor choice like this? ... The timing is so bad, and the foot issue, tells me that this guy is not only dropping out of the first round, I think this guy's dropping to the third or fourth round now."
Dominik all but guaranteed Ray, a consensus first-round prospect on the field, won't hear his name called on the first day of the draft. But not everybody feels the same way.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said on Tuesday that the team hasn't removed Ray from its board.
"Absolutely," Quinn told Mad Dog Sports Radio when asked if Ray is still on his team's board. "When we're going through the process, we felt good about him. He had a setback and it was hard, but hopefully it's something he learns from and can move on from."
If Ray does indeed drop from the middle of the first round to the third round, he will lose more than $5 million on his rookie deal.