ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- A few quick thoughts on the Denver Broncos' first-round draft pick:

The pick: Shane Ray, outside linebacker/defensive end, Missouri

My take: This was a due-diligence pick for the Broncos. Ray was considered a top-10 talent by many teams and slipped because of an ill-advised, ill-timed citation for marijuana possession four days before the draft. However, the Broncos still thought enough of him to flip-flop picks in the first round with the Detroit Lions and send two additional picks to the Lions as well -- a fifth-round choice this year (143rd overall) and a fifth-rounder in 2016. It's a risk worth taking, given Ray wasn’t considered to have a character question before his traffic stop this week and given that he can play immediately in the Broncos’ 3-4 scheme. Ray does start his career in the league's substance-abuse program, so he will be subject to increased testing (up to 10 times a month). The Broncos need him to stay clean to make this move worthwhile.

Ascending player: One of the things that can be difficult for some to understand about the NFL draft is it’s often more about pro potential more than a guy’s college production. Ray was a starter for one season at Missouri, but showed speed, power and an innate ability to get to the quarterback. He’s a player with plenty of room on his developmental curve to go with a coaching staff that will find a way to use him with DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller.

Mix-and-match: This is a now and later pick. Ray, with 22.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks for the Tigers in 2014, has the kind of ability to get on the field and contribute for a defense that includes five players who played in the Pro Bowl after last season. But with Miller in the final year of his original five-year deal and Ware set to turn 33 shortly after training camp begins, Ray provides some insurance down the road. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has promised an “attack" defense (he blitzed almost 48 percent of the time in his tenure with the Texans) and he gets another pass-rusher to do it. Ray is also the fifth consecutive defensive player in John Elway’s tenure to be selected with the team’s opening pick of a draft (four first-rounders and one second-rounder).