Cowboys take DE Randy Gregory with 60th overall pick, ending slide

— -- IRVING, Texas --  Randy Gregory's slide in the draft has stopped with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys took the Nebraska defensive end in the second round with the 60th overall pick. At the start of the draft process Gregory was viewed as a top-10 pick, but a failed drug test at the NFL scouting combine as well as other concerns led to a precipitous fall.

The Cowboys visited with Gregory two weeks ago when it looked like he would begin to drop. He had 17.5 sacks in two seasons at Nebraska.

Representatives for Gregory made it clear that whichever team drafted him needed to have a support system in place that would be expected to include a security person and a personal handler who would follow Gregory at all times, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. To Gregory and his representatives, it didn't matter where in the draft he went, but where in the NFL he went. He was adamant that it would be with a team that would support him.

The Cowboys found the risk worth the reward by taking Gregory. Dallas has been through similar experiences, providing helpers to wide receiver  Dez Bryant after he was drafted. And there are expected to be Gregory Rules and followers in Dallas.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told Schefter the team had done the re-evaluations on  Shane Ray, who was drafted by the  Denver Broncos with the 23rd overall pick, and Gregory, and were comfortable with what Dallas had on file and the means in which to support them.

The Cowboys' stated goal in the draft was to improve the defense, and with their first two picks they have taken cornerback Byron Jones and now Gregory.

Gregory's college teammate running back  Ameer Abdullah offered a positive take on his selection, telling ESPN's Michael Rothstein, "He's an explosive player on the field. I think things are in perspective for him now, and I'm looking forward for him to continue to improve."

Asked to elaborate on what he meant by "perspective," Abdullah continued, "He's a guy who is very mindful. If something happens, he's going to think about it. I know what his intentions are heading into the league. I know Randy is a great guy and I'm looking forward to seeing great things down in Dallas from him."

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and ESPN Lions reporter Michael Rothstein contributed to this report.