Report: Top NFL Draft Prospect Shane Ray May Need Surgery

Shane Ray, one of the 2015 NFL Draft’s top pass-rush prospects, could require foot surgery that could rule him out for five months.

Per NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein, Ray ‘may need foot surgery’ which could cause him to slide down draft boards:

I bang the drum for Shane Ray as loudly as anyone, but I'm hearing more and more concerns about his foot and I think he ends up sliding.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) April 22, 2015

@MikeOdomSports May need foot surgery. Not saying he "needs" it. That is for each team's doc to decide.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) April 23, 2015

What would this mean for the Atlanta Falcons?

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Well, it potentially means another talented pass-rusher slides lower than they pick. With Randy Gregory admitting to testing positive for marijuana at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, will Ray slide too?

Among the highest-rated pass rushers this year are Vic Beasley, Dante Fowler and Alvin Dupree.

Gregory was considered by many to be a top-10 pick before the news broke about his drugs test. If Ray does need surgery, it’s entirely possible he will slide too.

This would make the demand for one of the remaining top-10 edge rusher prospects that much higher.

Clemson’s Beasley and Florida’s Fowler could be gone by the time the Falcons pick at No. 8, which could drop Dupree to Atlanta.

If Ray does drop out of the top ten, will Dupree’s draft stock rise?

If the Falcons are worried about Ray’s injury, they may consider trading up to grab one of the elite pass rushers who are expected to be taken before them.

As of right now, it’s hard to know exactly what will happen. This is an issue the Falcons will be monitoring for sure.

Next: Falcons: Top 5 Thomas Dimitroff Draft Picks