Randy Gregory’s Game Film Analysis

The Bucs finally addressed their lackluster edge room on Wednesday, adding pass rusher Randy Gregory.

Had this been 2022, that might have been a more notable signing.

Gregory secured a five-year, $70 million contract from the Broncos that year on the back of a 47-pressure, six-sack campaign over just 12 games. But over the past two seasons combined Gregory has not been able to eclipse that 2021 sack or pressure total.

What has changed? Is there still juice there? What does the tape say about Randy Gregory?

I reviewed three games from his 2023 season – Week 2 versus the Commanders, Week 6 against the Browns and the Super Bowl against the Chiefs.

What Randy Gregory Still Does Well

The most consistent trait I saw Randy Gregory take advantage of was his length. Standing 6-foot-5 with 34-inch arms he slots into the 78th and 66th percentiles, respectively, for each measurement. And he knows how to use it to his advantage.

Despite his long frame he doesn’t play at a very high weight (around 250 pounds). Because of this it can be difficult for Gregory to play with a lot of power due to a lack of mass. He makes up for this by harnessing his long frame through a leveraged angle to drive through opposing offensive linemen.

Former Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith learned this the hard way in the Super Bowl.

Donovan Smith getting the business end. pic.twitter.com/JzEqbXuD7F

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) April 5, 2024

Gregory also uses his length to disrupt passing lanes.

Some guys have good length, but don’t use it well. Don’t count Randy Gregory in that category. pic.twitter.com/Pk2zCEqdFL

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) April 5, 2024

He Can Still Win Outside And Off Of Games

Gregory still flashes the technique and skill that made him an early draft pick way back in 2015. The ability is still there to win one-on-one against NFL tackles.

Good hand-fighting to avoid the stab. Turns the corner and finishes strong. pic.twitter.com/C9MOHRS5XE

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) April 5, 2024

At the same time, he has the change of direction and hip flexion to bend inside off of tackle-end stunts. Given that Bucs head coach Todd Bowles is a fan of running games like the above, Gregory should fit well into that role.

Should pair well with Kancey on twists like this. pic.twitter.com/N8ErXsN54S

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) April 5, 2024

Randy Gregory’s Limitations

While Randy Gregory still flashes winning traits, they aren’t consistent enough for Bucs fans to count on him to be the high-end starter the team truly needs (in my opinion). His best role within this outside linebacker room is as a designated pass rusher.

YaYa Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka offer the best blend of pass rush/run defense combination with Anthony Nelson providing a high-end run-defending backup. Gregory should slot in with Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez as pass rushing specialists. Gregory offers a better physical profile and more experience than the other two, but perhaps a lower ceiling given his age (31).

Almost as the antithesis of Nelson, Gregory is a below-average run defender. His thin frame prevents him from holding the edge against powerful tackles and he can get displaced. That’s not to say that Gregory doesn’t try. He has a high motor and gives his all on nearly every rep.

And he is able to use his long arms to disengage from blocks to make plays. It’s just not on a snap-by-snap basis.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: USA Today

The interesting thought experiment with Gregory is whether Bowles will look to maximize the effectiveness of each of the players in his outside linebacker room by deploying each in situations that lend themselves to each player’s skillset. For example, using Gregory and Watts on more pass-obvious downs while rotating Anthony Nelson in during early, run-heavier downs.

That hasn’t been Bowles’ motus operandi in the past. He prefers to deploy his outside linebackers like hockey shifts, with full line changes for entire drives.

But if he chooses to shake things up this year he could tap into Gregory’s still-present pass rush arsenal to get him to contribute 4-6 sacks as a part-time player, and for a one-year deal worth $3 million and $2 million in incentives, that would be quite a bargain.