Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory said before the combine that he thinks he’s worthy of being the first overall pick of this year’s draft.
With the Buccaneers in need of a quarterback in a year with Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota available, that’s unlikely to happen but at least one draft analyst thinks Gregory is a better prospect than the guy who went first overall last season.
Greg Cosell of NFL Films has said in the past that he feels Gregory is a better prospect than Jadeveon Clowney, who was described by some as a once-in-a-blue-moon prospect heading into the draft last year. During an appearance on The Midday 180 on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville on Wednesday, Cosell said he “probably” still feels that way after watching Gregory during the combine.
“He’s a better athlete than Clowney. He’s more flexible. He’s more explosive in his movement,” Cosell said. “Clearly, not as strong. Clowney could get inside and push back, but Clowney did not have the loose hips that this guy does. Gregory’s a much more explosive mover, a much looser athlete.”
Gregory weighed 235 pounds at the combine and Cosell said the big question about his transition to the NFL is whether he’s going to have enough power and strength to win when engaged with bigger blockers. That’s balanced with having “the traits you would theoretically put down on a piece of paper” for a successful pass rusher, leaving teams high in the draft with an interesting decision to make in a draft with several pass rushing prospects.