2015 Atlanta Falcons Potential Draft Pick Profile: Edge Player Randy Gregory

The Atlanta Falcons' biggest need is at the "Leo" position, and there are quite a few different options in the draft. One of the best in the draft is Randy Gregory out of Nebraska. He's a talented pass-rusher who had solid production during his two years in big-time college football.

The Falcons could be interested in Gregory as he compares favorably to former Falcon John Abraham. Gregory would be a good fit as a leading pass-rusher for the Falcons and could be the answer to one of the team's biggest problems up front.

Randy Gregory

Edge Player

University of Nebraska

Combine/Pro Day Measurements

Height: 6'4 ⅞"	Weight: 238 pounds	Arm Length: 34"
Hand Measurement: 10"	40-yard dash: 4.64 sec.	10-yard split: 1.60 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.16 sec.	3-cone Drill: 6.79 sec.	Bench Reps: 24 reps
Vertical Jump: 36.5"	Broad Jump: 10'5"

Stats

2014: 11 Games Played, 54 Tackles, 8.5 Tackles for Loss, 7.0 Sacks, 10 QB Hurries, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Forced, 3 Pass Deflections, 2 Blocked Kicks

2013: 13 Games Played, 65 Tackles, 16.0 Tackles for Loss, 9.5 Sacks, 15 QB Hurries, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Forced, 1 Fumble Recovered, 1 Pass Deflection, 1 Defensive Touchdown

2012: Redshirted at Arizona Western Community College

2011: Played at Arizona Western Community College

Scouting Report

Strengths

Randy Gregory is explosive off the ball when he's allowed to pin his ears back and get to the quarterback. He's able to use his long frame to keep contain off the edge versus mobile quarterbacks, and his raw athleticism is near the top of the class for edge-rushers.

He's agile enough to drop into coverage if need be and could have a role there for zone-blitz looks for his pro team. Gregory also does well using his long arms to keep the tackles from getting inside to his pads. He has a ton of potential as a pass-rusher and has a ceiling near John Abraham or Simeon Rice.

Weaknesses

As good as Gregory is rushing the passer, he needs a ton of work when he goes against the run. He gets washed out of plays and has trouble setting the edge when he's asked to do so as a two-gap defender. He would be much better off attacking the edge instead of setting it.

He's also not polished at all in coverage and ideally wouldn't be asked to drop back more than one or two plays every game. The Falcons would be an ideal scheme for him as a Leo because he wouldn't be forced to do anything more than rush the passer or stuff the run in a one-gap situation.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?

On the field, Gregory doesn't show the best motor all the time and would be better off early in his career in more of a rotational role. However, he seems to do everything the coaches ask him to do because he used to play contain on the way to the passer instead of pinning ears back in college.

Off the field, he's never been arrested nor suspended. And while he's not a captain, he does seem to be coachable. The Falcons seem to be a good situation for him, as they have a tough-as-nails defensive line coach in Brian Cox and a motivating head coach in Dan Quinn.

Overview

Gregory at times will look like Tarzan and play like Jane. And other times, he'll look like John Abraham and play like John Abraham. Whomever winds up with Gregory will need to harness his talent and put him in the right position to win.

A role where he's playing the run in a one-gap situation on the weak-side while edge rushing on pass downs would be his ideal fit. Atlanta's new Leo role sounds ideal for Gregory as it's just that. If the Falcons can get him at No. 8 overall, he'd be worth the pick.

How he would fit into the Falcons' plans

The Falcons would take the Abraham clone and play him in the Leo role in Quinn's defense. He'd be an instant upgrade as a pass-rusher, but he needs to make sure that he tries 100 percent of the time and gets after the quarterback on every single play.

Gregory could be a great player in Atlanta with Cox coaching him. But the Falcons need to get him to harness the best of his abilities and improve his run defense. Atlanta would have to hope for Gregory to slip to them at No. 8, but if he does, he should be the pick unless Dante Fowler or Vic Beasley is there.

All stats used are either from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats (subscription required), ESPN, CFBStats or the NFL. All combine and pro day info is courtesy NFL Draft Scout. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac and Rotoworld.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, College Football, NFL and the NFL draft.

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