With free agency set to begin in in five days, the look of many of the recent mock drafts can take a drastic turn. If a team signs a high priced defensive lineman, they'll most likely bump their need at DL down a peg or two. A team trades for a legit #1 wide receiver, they may not be looking at wide out in the 1st round anymore.
Needless to say, just as an NFL team's draft board will fluctuate, so to will those of the "draft experts" around the web.
In Mel Kiper's latest mock draft (ESPN Insider access only) he has the Chicago Bears taking a player that we've seen mocked to them in the past.
7) Randy Gregory - Chicago Bears (5-11)
COLLEGE: Nebraska Class: Jr HT: 6-4 WT: 235 POS: OLBAnalysis: John Fox has made it clear that he intends to go to a 3-4 base system on defense, which all but puts every player you could call an "edge" rusher on the roster on notice. Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young may be great making the transition; they may not. The Bears could use some assurance that they'll have at least one great fit as a stand-up 3-4 edge rusher, and if Gregory is still here at this point they should be happy. Gregory offers length, and explosiveness that plays up both on tape and when he's sprinting in Under Armour. There are some concerns about his lean frame but I think he plays the point pretty well and isn't going to be a liability against the run as he develops.
We can't bring you his entire mock draft, since it's behind a pay wall, but we will let you know that Marcus Mariota, Shane Ray and Dante Fowler Jr. are all off the board, and Vic Beasley and Danny Shelton are still available.
A couple days ago, Kiper said this of Gregory.
"Gregory has to get stronger," Kiper said. "He's more the developmental type. ...If he does, then you could be looking at a guy who can be a very good pass-rusher."
"Gregory's a great athlete," Kiper said. "Phenomenal athlete. He has the length; long arms. He could be spectacular in this league. He has to show he can be durable as well. He has enormous upside."
As far as strength, maybe Gregory has been hitting the weights. Check out this tweet from the Nebraska Cornhuskers from earlier today.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SorryNotSorry?src=hash">#SorryNotSorry</a> "<a href="https://twitter.com/Rand_Getlin">@Rand_Getlin</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/RandyGregory_4">@RandyGregory_4</a> knocked the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SportsScience?src=hash">#SportsScience</a> dummy's head off. Never done before. <a href="http://t.co/uMMjWQrwRj">pic.twitter.com/uMMjWQrwRj</a>"</p>— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Huskers/status/573492145673232385">March 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
His pro day was today and he did check in 3 pounds heavier than at the NFL Combine.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes Gregory will be "immediately successful" in the NFL.
"He can win in a multitude of ways as a pass rusher," said Jeremiah, who rates Gregory as his No. 6 prospect in the draft. "He can beat you with that pure speed off the edge. He can convert speed to power, which you wouldn't expect from someone who is so lean. He also has a nice inside counter move."
Gregory was moved around quite a bit at Nebraska and that versatility would be a plus for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Here's another clip from the Huskers' twitter account.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Huskers?src=hash">#Huskers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RandyGregory_4">@RandyGregory_4</a> putting on a show today. <a href="http://t.co/6pU5CDbZYB">pic.twitter.com/6pU5CDbZYB</a></p>— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Huskers/status/573580229437878272">March 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
What are your thoughts on the Bears taking Randy Gregory at 7th overall?