Broncos trade up to No. 23, select pass rusher Shane Ray
The Denver Broncos executed a trade with the Detroit Lions to move up in the first round and select Missouri pass rusher Shane Ray. The Broncos were originally slated to pick 28th but made the trade to move up to No. 23.
According to Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com, Detroit acquires Denver's first-round pick, fifth-round picks in the 2015 and 2016 drafts and veteran offensive lineman Manny Ramirez.
The Broncos made the trade because they believed Ray would be taken by the Baltimore Ravens at No. 26, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reports. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the trade was in place since Wednesday.
• Chargers trade up to select running back Melvin Gordon
Ray was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession on Monday, leading some draft analysts to speculate he wouldn't be taken in the first round. Ray apologized for his actions in a statement, saying, “There are no excuses here and I will take the necessary steps to ensure this will not happen again.”
Ray, a pass-rushing outside linebacker, was ranked the No. 18 prospect in this year's draft class by SI.com's Doug Farrar and Chris Burke. Ray declared for the draft after his junior season, where he was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year after recording a conference-high 14.5 sacks.
- Dan Gartland and Scooby Axson
