Oakland Raiders Interview Randy Gregory at Combine
By Chase Ruttig
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Nebraska defensive lineman Randy Gregory talks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Raiders are busy trying to explore their options with their fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft while at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week. Reportedly trying to determine between the top receivers and top defensive linemen in the 2015 class, Raiders management sat down with one of the draft’s premier edge rushers this week to get a better feel for the prospects near the top of the board in the first round.
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On Saturday, Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory confirmed he had an interview with the Raiders, the top ranked defensive end by most draft experts doing his combine chat with a team he could realistically land with depending on how the first three picks of the 2015 Draft unfold before Oakland are on the clock.
Gregory told reporters that he felt the interview with the Raiders was a successful one in the minds of both parties. The defensive end going as far as saying that the two sides had a strong connection after their interview session where the Raiders scouting department touched base with the Cornhuskers star.
Raiders reporter Vic Tafur was at Gregory’s press conference, confirming that the pass rusher divulged that he met with Oakland for 30 minutes on Friday night.
Randy Gregory said he met with #Raiders for 30 minutes last night. Nebraska pass rusher said he felt like "there was a real connection."
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) February 21, 2015
Gregory came into the combine weighing a low-ish 238 pounds, but it didn’t appear to impact his strength testing at the combine where he put up 24 reps during the bench press portion. Good numbers that indicate his lower weigh in will not be a problem in terms of strength or explosiveness for a projected Top 5-10 pick in this year’s draft.
Randy Gregory benched 24 reps per his agent. Very good given his length and weight.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 21, 2015
Obviously combine interviews are almost always described as going well by prospects and front offices, but Gregory does have a real chance of landing in Oakland as it is expected that Leonard Williams will be selected before the Raiders are on the clock. That leaves Gregory as one of the next defensive players on the big board for general manager Reggie McKenzie, making the odds high that the Nebraska player will get a good look from Oakland when they are making their fourth overall selection.
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If Williams is gone by the fourth and McKenzie goes with a defensive talent it could very well be between Gregory or Florida pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. If Gregory’s feelings after the interview with Oakland are any indication, he would be fine landing with the Raiders at the four spot come the draft. An outcome that could suit both parties as the Oakland defense need a true defensive end to pair with veteran Justin Tuck and their outside linebacker core headed by Khalil Mack. A lot can change between now and the draft, but Gregory remains a name Raider fans should get familiar with as a potential first round selection.