Dallas Cowboys: Realistic expectations for Randy Gregory in 2018
After being out of football for more than a year, what are some realistic expectations for Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory?
Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, a pass rushing prospect touted as a possible top ten talent, tumbled down the 2015 NFL Draft following a failed drug test at the Scouting Combine. The Dallas Cowboys opted to take a chance on Gregory in the second round, selecting him 60th overall.
Initially, it appeared to be a good move by the pass rush-needy Cowboys. That preseason, Gregory posted an impressive 3.0 sacks in his first three exhibition contests. But a high ankle sprain he suffered in Week One of the regular season hobbled the rookie for his entire first season, limiting him to 11 tackles and no sacks in 12 games.
Not surprisingly, Gregory’s off-the-field demons came to the forefront in his second season as a slew of suspensions for substance abuse would limit him to just two games in 2016 and an indefinite ban last year.
Earlier this week, the 25-year old Gregory was reinstated by the league and is now eligible to participate in the Cowboys’ upcoming training camp. And if he continues to pass whatever tests the NFL levied on him, the former second rounder should be eligible to play this season.
But what can fans expect production-wise from Gregory who hasn’t played organized football in over a year? We can look to the Cowboys recent past for a possible example.
Dallas traded the Baltimore Ravens a sixth-round pick for middle linebacker Rolando McClain back in 2014 following a season-ending injury suffered by starter Sean Lee. McClain had been out of football for over a year before starting for the Cowboys in Lee’s place. His play was a revelation, posting 81 combined tackles, two interceptions and a sack as a 12-game starter.
Unfortunately, substance abuse would end McClain’s NFL career as he was levied an indefinite ban by the league in December of 2016. But where he and Gregory differ is production. McClain posted three productive seasons with the Oakland Raiders before hanging up his cleats for a year. Gregory returns three years after being drafted with a total of 20 tackles and one sack under his belt as a professional.
Last month, Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli shared his plans with the Dallas Morning News for getting Gregory back into game-shape.
"“[Gregory’s] talented, no question, and he’s a great guy. And smart. But number one thing we’ve got to do is groove him back in, groove him back in before I set standards for him and goals. Let’s just get him in the stance and start teaching the game of football. Cause like I say, it’s kind of like golf, if you don’t play for three of four months, a year, it’s not the same, the timing.”"
The truth is Gregory has yet to even sniff his potential as a pass rusher. During his two years with the Cornhuskers, he recorded 119 total tackles, 26.5 tackles for a loss, and 16.5 sacks. But after being out of football for more than a year, combined with his lack of production as a pro, expectations should be very low for a young pass rusher who has only posted a single meaningful sack on the NFL-level.
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That being said, I think a realistic expectation for Randy Gregory in 2018 is one of a rusty player whom the Dallas Cowboys will slowly work back into the lineup. Expect Gregory to see very limited snaps to start the season, steadily increasing as long as he continues to remain healthy and shows progress. I could see Gregory ending the year with a conservative stat line of 20 combined tackles and 3.0 sacks in a reserve role.