Looking to add to an already solid pass rush in 2015, then Denver Broncos general manager John Elway traded up in the first round to select Missouri outside linebacker Shane Ray.
Ray had some off-the-field issues while in college which took him out of the top 10 of the draft, where many thought he would go. But the Broncos were thrilled to get him and he became part of a Super Bowl champion that year. However, his time in Denver never led to Pro Bowls or any major level of individual success.
The Broncos declined his fifth-year option and he became a free agent following the 2018 season. Ray's market was quiet and he didn't sign a deal until May of 2019 with the Baltimore Ravens. His career quietly faded out before he resurfaced in the CFL. Then, last spring, he was invited to a tryout for the Buffalo Bills and was offered a contract, but was released at the end of the summer.
Shane Ray's NFL career is continuing with the Tennessee Titans
Now, despite not playing a single NFL down since 2018, Ray has launched a new comeback attempt, signing a deal with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday.
Happy for Shane Ray. His push to stay in the NFL is admirable https://t.co/HFJaEQbTiX
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) July 25, 2024
Ray will be in a similar situation to the one he faced in Buffalo last year, but this time he has even less time to prepare. He will be a long shot to make the roster, but the fact that teams continue to kick the tires on him shows that there is still something there.
Ray has 94 career tackles and 14 sacks. But he only played a full regular-season slate once as injuries have impacted his career as well. He has not played in an NFL game since December 9, 2018.
