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Missouri Tigers DL Shane Ray declares for 2015 NFL Draft

By Patrick Schmidt

Nov 1, 2014; Columbia, MO, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Williams (18) is tackled by Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Shane Ray (56) during the second half at Faurot Field. Missouri won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2014; Columbia, MO, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Williams (18) is tackled by Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Shane Ray (56) during the second half at Faurot Field. Missouri won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Missouri Tigers junior defensive end Shane Ray is foregoing his final year of eligibility and is entering the 2015 NFL Draft after having 14.5 sacks this season.

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As expected, Shane Ray is leaving Missouri one year early after recording 14.5 sacks and is entering the 2015 NFL Draft where he is expected to be one of the first picks after winning the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year.

The 6-3, 245-pound edge rusher was one of only five players in college to average at least one sack per game and his elite first step and versatility could see him play as a 4-3 defensive end or some teams could view him as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

Ray needs to add weight and get stronger to be a better anchor in the run game, but there may not be a better pass rusher in this year’s draft than Ray who finished third in the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss and third in sacks with 14.5.

Scouts Inc ranks Ray as the second best defensive end behind Leonard Williams who is ranked as the top overall player and the No. 3 player overall behind Heisman winner, Marcus Mariota at No. 2.

Here is what Scouts Inc writes about Ray’s pass rush skills:

"“Explodes off the line. Elite first step. Flashes some ability to shave edge but needs more consistency. Quick feet and hands. Effective spin move. Very agile and sudden for position. Has initial pop but needs to improve ability to convert speed to power. Quick to redirect on outside-in move. Very good closing burst to QB. Appears to have above-average awareness. Sets up OL with variety of moves. South Carolina 2013 was best tape we studied from 2013.”"

The Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, New York Jets and Chicago Bears all make a lot of sense for Ray and each picks in the top seven in the upcoming draft. Each of these teams could use help getting to the quarterback and will undoubtedly put Ray under the microscope at the NFL combine and subsequent pro days and individual workouts in the coming months.

Where do you think Ray will be drafted? Let us know in the comments section below.

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