Shane Ray’s NFL career hasn’t gotten off to the fastest start.
He was cited for marijuana possession just before the draft and had a toe injury that limited him in both pre-draft workouts and offseason work with the Broncos, who drafted him 23rd overall. Ray got on the field before the Broncos put a pin in things until training camp, however, and said at this week’s Rookie Symposium that he expects things to continue progressing in a very positive direction once work resumes.
“I don’t see anything less than Defensive Rookie of the Year. I mean that’s my goal,” Ray said, via NFL.com. “A lot of people might say that sounds cocky for you to say it right now, but I’ve always set high goals for myself, just like I did in college and that is something that I’m looking to prove, that I’m the best defensive rookie here.”
Among the obstacles in Ray’s path to that award could be playing time. With Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware on hand at outside linebacker, Ray may have to bide his time in sub packages as a rookie while others are showcasing themselves in a higher number of snaps. Even that scenario has upside for Ray, though.
He said he has “the opportunity to look through their eyes on how they see things on the field” and that education should be valuable for a player transitioning from the collegiate ranks even if their presence keeps him from one of his initial professional goals.