2. Shane Ray
I reserved this spot for either Shane Ray or Shaquil Barrett, and in the end I went with Ray. Why? Because, while I believe Barrett had the better 2015 season, Ray has much, much higher upside.
It’s not easy for pass rushers to come in day one and be effective, even when they’re getting first team reps and first team snaps. It’s even harder when they’re playing behind two of the greatest to ever do it.
Shane Ray was only used on a limited basis all season, and yet he still found ways to deliver in big moments. He finished with four sacks last season, but I have no doubt that he would have had double that number on a team in which he could have started on.
Remember, this was a top-10 talent in a draft class loaded with pass rushers, and the Broncos ended up finding him late in the first round. Give him another year and offseason of experience under his belt, and he’s going to play an even larger role this season.
