Randy Gregory Slide Possible; Browns Catch?

Randy Gregory admitted that he failed a drug test at the NFL Combine. He claims that he smoked in December and his levels were still high. According to multiple reports, teams and scouts had been worried about his marijuana use for some time. Some believe he is likely to fall, citing Josh Gordon as the most recent example of a talented player who can’t play because of weed.

(Quick aside: I conducted drug testing as a part of my job as a counselor with the court system years ago. That, along with a Master’s and License that includes drug treatment, give me some authority to speak on this matter. The half life of marijuana is between 21 and 30 days. That means it will be out of a players system, especially if it is a urine test, 30 days after last use. How much they smoked doesn’t change that. I haven’t done drug testing in 7 years but have seen nothing scientifically showing that any of that has changed.)

Now on to the big question for DPD readers: Could the Cleveland Browns possibly catch a falling Gregory? Here is what we think we know:

Gregory is considered the best 3-4 pass rush specialist in this draft.
The Browns have shown interest in pass rushers in free agency.
The Browns are likely to draft a pass rusher in their 1st three picks, depending on value.
The Browns have had issues with two high profile players, Gordon and Johnny Manziel, and substances recently.
Mike Pettine would find amazing ways to deploy the fast Gregory and would immediately help the Browns pass rush.
Gregory could still go in the Top 10 or he could fall out of the Top 20.
The Browns are far more likely to be risk adverse after last year.

Reasonable information that could also be applied to Dorial Green-Beckham, although his situation was farther in the past.

Mel Kiper, according to Cleveland.com, thinks that the Browns could pick Gregory, noting some stud players who also had issues coming into the league:

"But Kiper pointed to players such as Hall of Famer Warren Sapp and current sackmaster Justin Houston as players who excelled in the pros after flunking drug tests before entering the league. Houston plummeted to the third round of the 2011 draft after testing positive for marijuana at the combine. He’s registered 48.5 sacks in the past four years, and has yet to sign a nonexclusive franchise tag placed on him by the Chiefs."

Houston is an interesting comparison as a good pass rusher that fell because of off the field concerns. Gregory has had trouble keeping on weight and should be limited to teams primarily running 3-4 defenses, he could not hold up as a defensive end. That limitation, along with his substance related issues, could make him fall.

If he falls to 12, and especially if he falls all the way to 19, the Browns will have a difficult decision to make. Do they take another risk in the 1st round, this time on a for sure on the field talent (Manziel is not, Gordon is), or do they risk passing on the next great pass rusher? Should poor choices by Gordon and Manziel impact their next decision? (Golfers will tell you to never let the previous shot impact your thinking on the next.)

Do they believe the limited options for fun in Lincoln, Nebraska was a big influence? Do they believe this is a life long issue? Does their experience with Gordon and Manziel help them know whether Gregory is serious or not?

While it may not make fans happy, we would not be shocked to see the Browns go with defensive players with both of their first picks. If they are able to pull in Gregory and Danny Shelton, the teams defense would be upgraded quickly. Gregory can be that kind of pass rush talent.

We expect the Browns to pass on Gregory with the 12th pick, unless the top of the draft just goes horribly bad for the team. They would have to consider him with the 19th pick, or even a small trade up, based completely on his talent.

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If the Browns go safe at 12, Shelton, Amari Cooper, Kevin White, etc, then taking Gregory with the 19th pick gives them a high risk, high reward prospect to show for trading down last year. Justin Gilbert could come around, many expect him to, and Gregory could stay on the field and out of trouble. That would leave the Browns with two stud defensive players, plus the 4th round pick, in exchange for Sammy Watkins. On a defense/run oriented team, that would be a steal.

Or Gilbert can continue to struggle and Gregory could follow Gordon out of the league.

What do you think about the Browns catching Randy Gregory in the 1st Round if he slides?

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