2015 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants Select Randy Gregory

As we start the second quarter of our 2015 NFL Mock Draft, we have our old friends, the New York Giants, on the clock. The Giants had a pretty rough season in 2014, and "thecraphead," who is running things for the Giants in this scenario, is going to try to fix them the way several other GMs have attempted to fix their teams thus far. . .by attempting to upgrade the pass rush.

With the ninth pick in the 2015 Daily Norseman Community Mock Draft, the New York Giants select. . .

Randy Gregory, defensive end, University of Nebraska

Here is the explanation behind the pick, which I must have missed the first time.

I realize the Giants have a few other clear needs outside of pass rusher....with OL and WR being chief among them. So Brandon Scherff and DeVante Parker, whom I like better than Kevin White, were considerations here as well. But this is the Giants we are talking about...a team whose defense relies heavily on QB pressure from the front. As a result, this came down to Missouri's Shane Ray, and Nebraska's Randy Gregory for me. While an argument can certainly be made that Ray might be the slightly better fit schematically for a 4-3 defense, Randy Gregory is the superior talent in my eyes and I am a big proponent of taking the best talent you can. I know some are concerned with his failing a drug test at the combine, and while it was clearly a mistake, the kid was upfront and honest about saying he made a mistake. In the end, being able to get who I feel is the best pash rusher in the draft at #9 was too good to pass on.

My Thoughts

In terms of pure ability, Gregory might be the best defensive end in this year's class. However, there are numerous red flags that pop up when his name is discussed. He had quite a few injury issues during his time with the Cornhuskers that caused him to miss some game time. And, of course, there's the revelation that he tested positive for marijuana at the 2015 Scouting Combine. . .because, you know, it's pretty tough to prepare for a test that you know is coming months in advance. However, from a purely on-the-field standpoint, if Gregory has his head screwed on straight, he could be a key piece to leading a resurgence in the Giants' pass rush. We'll have to see if that's the case.

What do you think of this selection, ladies and gentlemen?