Even the most heralded NFL draft prospects have their detractors. Some scout, somewhere, is ready to poke holes in the game of even the highest-profile player, while other evaluators happily discuss the same player's merits. One NFL scout who correctly red-flagged the Miami Dolphins' 2013 first-round pick -- Oregon's Dion Jordan, who was chosen No. 3 overall -- has identified Nebraska pass rusher Randy Gregory as a stay-away prospect as well, according to nj.com.
"He's a hell of an athlete. He just doesn't make plays. He's similar to Dion Jordan from a couple of years ago," the scout said. "... He does flash. You'll see him make a play and go 'wow' and then he won't do anything else the rest of the game. To me he's still a work in progress."
The Dolphinsexecuted a trade-up with the Oakland Raiders to acquire Jordan two years ago. But Jordan has made just one start in two seasons in Miami, and has incurred two suspensions under the NFL's substance abuse program.
One of the primary scouting questions on Gregory is his size. Though he stands 6-foot-6, the same height as Jordan, he weighs just 242 pounds -- light for an NFL defensive end. Gregory has said he expects to play between 255-270 pounds at the pro level.
Gregory, for his part, is lacking nothing in the area of confidence as he prepares for the NFL Scouting Combine next week. He said earlier this week he believes he is worthy of the No. 1 overall pick, and is projected as high as the No. 2 pick to the Tennessee Titans by NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah. Quality pass rushers are difficult to find, one reason several of them -- including Gregory, Missouri's Shane Ray, and Florida's Dante Fowler -- are considered potential top-10 picks.
For one scout, however, Gregory's not the one to invest in.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *@ChaseGoodbread*.