The Top 5 Potential 2015 NFL Draft Busts

Randy Gregory, Edge Rusher, Dallas Cowboys

Yet another off-field concern is what sunk Dallas Cowboys’ second-round pick Randy Gregory from being a first-round lock to nearly plummeting out of the second-round on Draft Weekend. The issues with Gregory start with his physicality, however. Gregory has excellent height, arm length, and hand size for the position of defensive end in the NFL. However, at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds is fairly thin, and his frame shows that thinness. He also plays with a narrow base, which gives balance issues, and he is almost hesitant in his burst off the ball. His physical tools are immense, but he hasn’t harnessed them with any consistency. Refinement will be a key for him.

Then we get into character concerns. Numerous scouts have written about Gregory’s potential mental health concerns, lack of work ethic, and casual attitude about his Combine positive test for marijuana. Gregory will enter the NFL already under the auspices of the league’s substance-abuse program, and already has been put under an accountability system much like Dez Bryant has with the Cowboys. He also failed to qualify academically to play for Purdue, who he originally signed with. There is severe character and attention risk with Gregory, despite his high upside. He may succeed spectacularly, but if he fails, it will be spectacularly as well.