Still Curtain
FanSided

Steelers 2015 South Side Draft Visits: Missouri’s Shane Ray

By Craig Gottschalk

facebooktwitterreddit

The Steelers will have an opportunity to have up to 30 prospective draftees visit the South Side prior to April 30th.

One of the names recently added to the list is Missouri’s OLB/DE Shane Ray. This kid is nothing short of a monster when it comes to being a pass rusher.

Head coach Mike Tomlin and OLB coach Joey Porter visited with Shane at the Missouri Pro Day. No one should be surprised that they are targeting yet another SEC Defensive Player of the Year. You’ll remember that Jarvis Jones won that award in his senior year in 2012.

Averaging almost one sack a game, Shane has incredible athleticism. He is one of the elite pass rushers in what Tomlin deemed as a class ripe of pass rushers. He could go somewhere in the Top 15.

His play doesn’t go without criticism, which could drop him down the draft board and into the Steelers’ laps. Much like Jarvis Jones, Shane is said to rely too heavily on his athleticism and not enough detail with his technique.

Like Jones, if he gets entrenched with an offensive tackle, he does not possess the strength to either push the tackle back or free himself from engagement. Arm length has has also been a consistent concern.

All of that is not to say that he can’t improve on his technique after being selected. He’s passionate and hungry – perfect for the unofficial ‘mentorship’ of Joey Porter and James Harrison.

It’s very plausible that Shane could drop. But, how far? Even if he drops a few spots, I find it hard to believe that a young man with his athleticism drops below 15.

So the question begs to be asked – would the Steelers trade up for him?

I think that depends on two things – 1) How well Shane impresses with his meetings at the South Side and 2) if other edge rushers like Owamagbe Odighizuwa don’t impress nearly as much as Shane.

Shane would be a huge selection if the Steelers can get there. Shane along with JJ, Ryan Shazier, and Lawrence Timmons would be an interested unit to watch.

Next: Should Tomlin Give Up On Archer?

More from Still Curtain

Home/Steelers Draft