Positional ranking: #6

Big Board ranking: #51

 

Overview

Position: DL

College: Michigan

Class: Junior

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’4 3/8”

Weight: 277 lbs.

Arm length: 34 1/8”

Hand size: 9 5/8”

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.58 sec.

Vertical jump: 38.0”

Broad jump: 120.0”

Bench press: 26 reps

3-cone drill: 7.26 sec.

Short shuttle: 4.29 sec.

 

Strengths

Possesses great raw power and elite burst for a defensive lineman. Lengthy and explosive. Stays low at the point of attack. Uses length to keep blockers off his frame. Flashes the ability to anchor. Hands are strong and violent. Keeps a solid base. Very quick first step. Knows how to shoot gaps. Crosses the face of blockers to make plays. Good range as a tackler. Gets in the backfield as a backside defender. Effective bull rush. Hand strikes are accurate and powerful. Sheds blockers. Can win with an inside move. Has some experience as a 3-technique. Should be able to add weight without a significant drop in explosiveness.

 

Weaknesses

Stiff hips. Lacks fluidity to consistently win outside. Speed rush isn’t there. A split second slow diagnosing. Doesn’t pop enough on tape for a high-level prospect. Very limited production at Michigan with just 9.5 sacks in three seasons.

 

NFL comparison

Justin Smith – If Gary is going to reach his potential, I think he needs to kick inside like former No. 4 overall pick Justin Smith—who weighed in at 267 lbs. and ran a 4.64 at the Combine before bulking up and becoming a five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman.

 

Conclusion

Overall, Rashan Gary can be a game-wrecker in the NFL, but I think it’s more likely on the interior where he can focus on shooting gaps and being disruptive. Either way, a top-ten selection is risky, and for me, Gary is better viewed as a target in the mid-to-late first round.