Every year the NFL Draft boasts players with high character, great motors, but lower ceilings on their talent. Then there are the bad boys, with huge potential but even bigger risks because of off-the-field issues. Sometimes they turn into future Hall of Famers like Randy Moss, while others sadly end up in prison a la Aaron Hernandez.
This year is no different, with some major prospects carrying a host of red flags. Here are the Top 5 high-risk, high-reward talents in the draft class.
Jameis Winston, QB Florida State Seminoles
Wow, the potential No. 1 pick tops the list. Winston's on-field exploits are impressive, even if his numbers regressed in 2014 when he lost two NFL-caliber talents at wide receiver (Kelvin Benjamin) and running back (Devonta Freeman). Winston was undefeated at Florida State until his final game, and he took home the Heisman Trophy in 2013.
Winston was (is) embroiled in a nasty case in which a woman is alleging he raped her. He was not charged because of a lack of evidence, but he's now facing a civil suit in which more details may emerge. He was also dinged for a number of far lesser transgressions that signaled a lack of maturity. He was caught shoplifting crab legs from a supermarket and was suspended for yelling lewd obscenities in a campus cafeteria.
On the field he has also shown a maddening propensity for throwing interceptions to underneath defenders that he didn't see, and can have issues forcing the ball to his favorite targets. Decision-making is crucial for a quarterback, as is leadership. Winston has question marks on both fronts.
Randy Gregory, DL/LB Nebraska Cornhuskers
Gregory's stock is sliding at the worst possible time. He failed a pre-draft drug test and has a history of marijuana use. This week, he's been dogged by reports of a potential inability to "handle the mental rigors of professional football." There are very few specifics, but a fairly large number of coaches, executives and scouts that are concerned that he might crack under the pressure of being a team's top pick.
On the other hand, he's shown major potential at Nebraska, racking up 18.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss in two years. He's arguably the best pure pass rusher in the draft, in a league where passing rules the day, and getting after quarterbacks is most team's top priority.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR Missouri Tigers/Oklahoma Sooners
Green-Beckham didn't play last season, and was thrown off the Missouri Tigers football team despite two productive seasons. He was arrested twice for marijuana, and then kicked off the team for allegedly shoving a female student down a flight of stairs. No charges were brought against him due to a lack of cooperation from the victim. In the current climate regarding domestic violence, Green-Beckham's issues may be magnified, especially when coupled with prior drug violations.
Green-Beckham's physical traits are tantalizing though. He's 6'6, 225 pounds and ran well at the NFL Combine. The tools are all there, but his character questions, as well as on-field discipline concerns could push him way down.
Shane Ray, DE Missouri Tigers
Ray might have fallen out of the first-round thanks to a traffic stop on Monday in which he was discovered to be in possession of marijuana. Ray exploded last season, racking up 68 tackles. 14.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss. Ray's production had only been at that level for one season, so bad press of this sort is not helpful to him if he's trying to get a Round 1 contract.
La'El Collins, OT LSU Tigers
Collins hasn't done anything yet, but he's wanted for questioning back in Louisiana regarding the shooting death of his pregnant former girlfriend. Baton Rouge police have said that Collins is not currently a suspect, but they want to determine if he is the father of the woman's child, who survived the attack. One NFL executive told SI.com that Collins' stock was "falling fast" because of this incident.
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