Ourlads' Profile:
2024 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about CEDRIC GRAY:
North Carolina | HT: 6014 | WT: 234 | 40 time: 4.64 | Arm: 3212 | Hand: 0900 | Wing: 7838
Three year starter. First-team All-ACC in 2022 and 2023 as well as consensus All-America last fall. Solid length and size for a linebacker, he’s been at 225 but picked up some weight this year. Has played Mike but was listed as a Will in 2023. He’s been the leader of the defense. An aggressive, instinctive player working in-line with excellent inside run fits. Quick with read and react there is no wasted movement when he sees it. Plays downhill and is adept at taking open windows in blocking schemes. Strong at the point of attack, he plays with outstanding leverage and can square up in the hole using quick strong hands to stack and shed blocks and make a play. He’s adept at a dip and rip through an angle block without losing path to the ball. Quickness allows him to slip blocks on the move. He squares up, wraps and drives through tackles both in-line and in the alley. Has remarkable range in pursuit as he can chase to the sideline from the backside and make a play in space. Shows blitz skill anticipating the snap and getting through an inside gap. Solid zone defender with depth in his drop and vision to see multiple threats. Finds the throwing lane consistently. Has ability to match backs on flat and wheel routes in man cover. Can get stalemated at times by a powerful blocker. Will sometimes misread a fit and create a running lane for a back. Missed tackle percentage was too high, as at times he overruns or dives at tackles. Shows occasional hesitation in coverage and depth of drop suffers as a result. Has three down potential and best fit could be a Will in most schemes.
2023 Stats: 121 T, 11 TFL, 5 sacks, 4 PBU, 7 QBH, 2 FF, 1 INT. OSR:23/37. Draft projection: 3rd/4th round