Despite only being our LB3, Cedric Gray was probably our favorite LB prospect in the class. We thought that he had one of the most notable “glow ups” from junior to senior year film. We even noted it in his profile, he needs to become the poster child for going back to school for your senior season. His film was night and day. We are not claiming that he is Fred Warner, but we saw shades of how Warner plays in the way that Gray plays. 

Anyways, Gray steps into a LB room that is relatively shallow. It is headlined by Jack Gibbens and Kenneth Murray. Gibbens actually had a pretty good season last year in his first year starting. Murray on the other hand, has never quite lived up to being the 23rd Overall Pick in 2020. We know that PFF grades aren’t consensually loved, but these numbers(for what it’s worth) are BAD

Despite Murray just being signed to a crazy 2 year, $18 million contract, we believe that Gray could outplay Murray for his starting spot… Or the other side of it, it could be that Murray could flourish in Dennard Wilson’s defense and Gibbens is the odd man out. Either way we expect to see Gray out there with the starting unit on Week 1. 

For those who aren’t sure why we think this is a great fit for Gray, when you google what defense Dennard Wilson runs this is what comes up: Wilson said the defense will be attacking, and violent, in its approach. Wilson said the defense will blitz, will play coverage, play man-to-man, and plans to be “multiple in everything we do.” This is about as close to describing Gray as a prospect as you can get.