Broncos Sign Shane Ray To Rookie Contract

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Shane Ray (Missouri) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number twenty-three overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The long awaited deal between Shane Ray and the Denver Broncos is now official. The team announced today that they have reached a deal with the rookie linebacker from Missouri on a four year deal. The deal is worth $8.5 million dollars, which includes near a $4.5 million dollar signing bonus.

This is great news from the Broncos standpoint. It began a day in which Shane Ray was able to participate in OTAs this afternoon during individual drills. He sat out the first week due to a toe injury that could have led to surgery.

Shane Ray went today without as much as a hiccup. It would not surprise me if the Broncos decided to move forward with this deal after OTAs were done for the day. Now that he is under contract, Jeff Heuerman is the only Broncos draft pick that has yet to sign with the team.

The Broncos defense is going to be something to be paying attention to during the offseason workouts. Shane Ray brings aggression and has the ability to get to the quarterback. He has quite a bit of success at Missouri during the three years he was playing for the Tigers, recording 120 tackles, 19 sacks, forced five fumbles and even recorded a defensive touchdown.

It could be said that Shane Ray could be used to spell linebackers Von Miller and Demarcus Ware during the game, which would make the Broncos defense lethal with the three headed beast in those linebackers. Having a combination of Miller/Ware/Ray consistently rotating in the defense will make quarterbacks on their toes with every snap.

It is quite an exciting time for the Broncos as the defense continues to improve and having Shane Ray on the roster and the deal completed will make for a possible return of the newest installment of the Orange Crush defense.

Welcome aboard to Broncos Country Shane Ray. Glad to have you.