To say that it’s been a bumpy road for Randy Gregory since entering the NFL as the Dallas Cowboys second-round pick in 2015 would be an understatement. After overcoming his personal demons and multiple NFL suspensions, the former Nebraska pass rusher is finally hoping to reward the Cowboys for their patience in him in the upcoming 2021 season.
As things stand right now, Gregory is projected to be the Cowboys starting right defensive end opposite DeMarcus Lawrence for the 2021 season. They are putting a lot of faith in their former 2015 second-round pick, especially considering his unreliable past. A past that will continue to put him on thin ice as far as the NFL is concerned.
Because of all of the multiple suspensions by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy, Gregory is one slip up away from flushing his career in the league down the drain. The Cowboys are banking on him keeping his off-the-field issues under control, and if he can do that he and D-Law should create quite a fearsome duo at defensive end this year.
It’s easy to forget how talented No. 94 truly is. A few injuries here and there early in his career and multiple suspensions stunted his growth/development as a pass rusher, however, he was once considered a Top 10 talent entering the 2015 NFL Draft for a reason. It’s that talent the Cowboys were willing to take a chance on with the 60th overall pick five years ago.
Going by stats alone nothing screams Gregory will have too much of an impact as a full-time starter. After all, he has just one official start in 38 career games with the Cowboys since 2015 and only 10.5 quarterback sacks during that time span. Those numbers hardly scream difference-maker, but numbers don’t always tell the entire story.
Gregory has shown enough flashes during his time with the Cowboys to make it reasonable to project that he’s a 10+ QB sacks type of player as a full-time starter. His length, bend, and ability to turn speed into power checks all of the boxes Dan Quinn wants from his pass rushers and playing opposite Lawrence should help him see favorable matchups.
2021 could be the year Randy Gregory finally pays the Dallas Cowboys back for all their patience with him. It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s Dallas’ sack leader this year if he ends up playing the entire season. He’s always had the talent, but it’s the inner demons that have always held him back. With that hopefully behind him he should ball out this year.
Poll
How many sacks will Randy Gregory get this year?
This poll is closed
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2%
0-3
-
12%
4-6
-
39%
7-9
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44%
10+