Shane Ray is setting lofty goals for his first year in the NFL. (USATSI)

Though Shane Ray dropped from a potential top-5 pick in 2015 NFL Draft to the No. 23 spot where the Broncos eagerly scooped him up, his fall had nothing to do with his talent and potential as a premier pass rusher in the league. Instead, it had more to do with a toe injury he suffered in college and an issue with marijuana.

Now that Ray has survived the draft, he could be poised to become one of the biggest steals of the draft -- and that's exactly what Ray has planned. On Monday, Ray spoke about his goals for his first season in the league. As expected, he's setting the bar high.

"I don't see anything less than Defensive Rookie of the Year. I mean that's my goal," Ray said via NFL.com. "A lot of people might say that sounds cocky for you to say it right now, but I've always set high goals for myself, just like I did in college and that is something that I'm looking to prove, that I'm the best defensive rookie here."

To become the DPOY, Ray is going to have to beat out the likes of Leonard Williams, Vic Beasley, and the other defenders taken ahead of him. Then again, Ray's plummet in the draft might just make him that much more successful considering he landed on a team that already boasts pass rushers DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller.

With Ware and Miller on the roster, Ray has a chance to learn from two of the best pass rushers in the league. And, he'll be playing alongside two guys who will surely take the attention off of him.

"I work with DeMarcus and Von every day," Ray said. "Some days I might work with Von on pass coverages, on reading receivers, how I'm supposed to play this receiver in this coverage. With DeMarcus, he might show me some hand stuff or pass rush stuff, like 'maybe you should try this.' With both of those guys, I kinda have the opportunity to look through their eyes on how they see things on the field and I just utilize that and add to my game."

Watch out, Alex Smith, Derek Carr, and Philip Rivers.