With the 7th pick in the 2015 NFL draft…

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

DE Shane Ray, Missouri SR

Attributes – 6’3 | 245| 4.54

Scouting report – Productive pass rusher who has an explosive first step and 4.5 closing speed. Ray is an elite athlete, rumored to run as fast as 4.4 with a 40 inch vertical, and a max bench of over 400 pounds. If he puts up those type of numbers at the combine, Ray will be gone by the time the Bears pick at 7. He shows great bend around the edge getting almost parallel to the ground, changes directions quickly without losing speed, has the closing burst to run down any QB, and has a non-stop motor. Most of Ray’s 14 sacks this year came on pure speed and athleticism. He has shown a few pass rush moves, but they will need to get better to beat NFL tackles. With his speed and first step he will get sacks in the pros, but developing a few go-to rush moves could make Ray an All-Pro.

Ray is a little shorter and lighter than ideal for a 4-3 DE which won’t matter much as a pass rusher, but will show up against the run. He will make some plays in pursuit, but Ray struggles when teams run right at him. He needs to get better at shedding blocks and diagnosing plays.

NFL ceiling – Jared Allen

Bears fit – With the emergence of Willie Young, a strong 2nd half from Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston returning from injury, and the improving David Bass, DE isn’t a glaring need for the Bears. That being said, Allen is nearing the end of his career, Houston struggled in his first year with the Bears, and Bass could be a fluke. Either way, a team can never have enough pass rushers. Ray has a chance to be special and a year learning under Jared Allen could speed up his development.