Denver Broncos OTAs will be a major opportunity for Shane Ray, who will take plenty of starting reps due to the absence of SB50 MVP Von Miller…
As the Denver Broncos get back to work for their first full team OTAs of the offseason, the absence of Super Bowl MVP Von Miller provides a very good opportunity for last year’s first round pick, edge rusher Shane Ray.
Ray — along with former UDFA Shaquil Barrett — will get extended reps with the top defensive unit, and might have anyway. The Broncos are planning on limiting DeMarcus Ware’s snaps this season, and both Ray and Barrett figure to receive the extra time on the field.
Recovering from an injury when he first came into the league, Ray’s time in the NFL got off to a slower start, but he’s bigger, faster, and stronger now than he was a year ago. He’s also caught up mentally in terms of knowing his role on the team, and that could expand significantly this season.
One thing we saw from Ray at Missouri was an ability to create pressure from a number of different spots on the field. He didn’t just chance into being the SEC defensive player of the year — he earned it.
The Broncos recognize they have a special talent in Shane Ray, but the competition between he and Shaquil Barrett along with the superstar pass rushers in DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller makes this one of the most fearsome units in the NFL.
After a slow start to his rookie season, Ray really developed over the course of the year and had a nice run going into the playoffs after missing a few weeks due to injury. He showed up big in the Super Bowl, making a couple of tackles and getting involved in one of the most impressive performances by a front seven in a Super Bowl I have ever seen.
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As good as the Broncos’ top pass rush duo of Miller and Ware was the last two seasons, they have now built a number two unit in Ray and Barrett that can come in and provide an excellent rush on teams when Miller and Ware need a rest. Combining the skills of Ray and Miller or Ray and Ware seems like an exciting prospect on paper, but seeing it on the field is going to be even better.
The Broncos have flexibility with their personnel groupings, and the added reps with the top unit are going to be huge for Shane Ray as he gets ready for year number two in the league.