Cedric Gray LB North Carolina | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Cedric Gray LB North Carolina
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/25/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.64 seconds (70%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
| Last Updated: 03/25/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.64 seconds (70%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 83.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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70% |
| Pass Rush: |
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80% |
| Run Defense: |
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73% |
| Coverage: |
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80% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#113
Position rank:
#7
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| College Games: 39 College Snaps: 2480 | ||
ESPN RATING: 76/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 91/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nick Hampton - Appalachian State |
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90% |
| DeMarvion Overshown - Texas |
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88% |
| Noah Sewell - Oregon |
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87% |
Draft Profile: Bio
In his first year as a significant contributor as a sophomore, this former three-star recruit Cedric Gray played in 12 games on 676 snaps for the Tar Heels. He recorded 68 tackles, 35 assists while adding 30 stops. In coverage Gray made one pass breakup, 2 interceptions, and an elite QB rating when targetted of 48.8. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 12 total pressures, 6 QB hurries, 4 QB hits, and 2 sacks during the year.In 2022 as a junior Gray played in 13 games and contributed on 918 snaps. He made a massive 107 tackles, and 32 assists while making 54 stops. In coverage, Gray chalked up 3 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and a QB rating when targetted of 90.7. As a pass rusher, he produced 20 total pressures, which included 14 QB hurries, 5 QB hits, and one sack on the year.
In 2023 as a senior Gray logged playing time in 12 games and logged a total of 880 snaps for the Tar Heels. He also added a solid 80 tackles, 31 assists, and 54 stops. While in coverage Gray made 3 pass breakups, one interception, and a QB rating when targetted of 79.0. As a pass rusher, he tallied 21 total pressures, which included 9 QB hurries, 7 QB hits, and 5 sacks on the season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Elite athletic skills -- Made Bruce Feldman's 'Freaks List' at number 41. He wrote: "At 6-3, 270, he has just 11.3 percent body fat, and he vertical-jumped 36.5 inches, broad-jumped 10 feet and bench pressed 390 pounds. This offseason, he topped over 20 mph on the GPS and did six pull-ups with a 70-pound belt attachment."
- Gray's explosiveness and range allow him to cover ground rapidly, essential in both the run and pass game.
- Boasts three years of starting experience, bringing a wealth of knowledge and on-field savvy.
- Effective QB spy, particularly against mobile quarterbacks, showcasing his adaptability.
- His high motor and relentless effort make him a constant presence on the field.
- Well-built with great mass and density, Gray's physical attributes contribute to his tackling prowess.
- Demonstrates impressive instincts and coverage skills, capable of making significant plays in pass defense.
- Gray's blitzing capabilities and speed through gaps make him a formidable pass-rushing threat.
- His ability to take on and shed blocks, combined with a knack for making impact plays, highlights his defensive versatility.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Missed tackles have been a concern, with a need to improve leverage and tackling form.
- Struggles with shedding blocks and can be overpowered by offensive linemen at the point of attack.
- Occasionally over-pursues plays, which can lead to missed opportunities and chunk runs against.
- Instincts in run defense sometimes lag, leading to early gap abandonment and missed tackles.
- Requires refinement in man coverage and recognition of passing concepts to elevate his game further.
Scouting Report: Summary
Cedric Gray's draft profile presents a mixed bag of elite athleticism and areas needing polish. On the positive side, Gray's sideline-to-sideline speed, high motor, and blitzing prowess make him a disruptive force on defense. His ability to cover ground quickly and engage effectively in space positions him as a quintessential WILL linebacker in the NFL, suited for a scheme prioritizing range and versatility. Gray's knack for making plays in both the run and pass game, highlighted by his solid pass breakups and ability to spy mobile quarterbacks, underscores his potential as a three-down linebacker at the pro level.However, Gray's game isn't without its drawbacks. Concerns about his tackling technique, particularly his tendency to miss tackles and struggle with shedding blocks, are glaring. Additionally, his instincts in run defense sometimes fall short, leading to over-pursuit and missed assignments. These areas of improvement are crucial for Gray to address to maximize his impact on the field and avoid becoming a liability in tight situations. The transition to the NFL will test his ability to adapt and refine these aspects of his game, as pro offenses will exploit any consistency issues in tackling and gap integrity.
Overall, Gray represents a high-upside prospect with the athleticism and versatility NFL teams covet in a linebacker. His explosive playmaking ability, coupled with his relentless effort, makes him a potential day-two pick with the promise of developing into a solid starter.
Cedric Gray percentiles vs other Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Cedric Gray (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
85.8
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
11.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.