Denver Broncos first-round pick Shane Ray has set his sights for the year pretty high. Ray had this to say to NFL Media while attending the rookie symposium on Monday:
“I don’t see anything less than Defensive Rookie of the Year. I mean that’s my goal,” the 2015 first-round pick said. “A lot of people might say that sounds cocky for you to say it right now, but I’ve always set high goals for myself, just like I did in college and that is something that I’m looking to prove, that I’m the best defensive rookie here.”
Ray fell to the Broncos at 23rd overall after he was cited for possession of marijuana shortly before the annual event. The Missouri product also missed Denver’s offseason activities due to a toe injury that is on the mend now.
Ray reported that the Broncos training staff wanted to be cautions with his injury until he was fully recovered, which appears to be the case right now. When Ray returns to practice for training camp, he will be in good company with veterans DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller ready to help show him the way.
Speaking of those two veterans, Ray shared this about his experience with them thus far:
“I work with DeMarcus and Von every day,” he said. “Some days I might work with Von on pass coverages, on reading receivers, how I’m supposed to play this receiver in this coverage. With DeMarcus, he might show me some hand stuff or pass rush stuff, like ‘maybe you should try this.’ With both of those guys, I kinda have the opportunity to look through their eyes on how they see things on the field and I just utilize that and add to my game.”
With Ray’s legal trouble and his foot injury now in the rear-view mirror, he can set his sights on achieving the ambitious goal of being awarded defensive rookie of the year.
Photo: USA Today Sports