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2015 NFL Draft: Dorial Green-Beckham’s profile

By Daniel

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Former Missouri Tigers wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham is one of the most impressive prospects in the 2015 NFL draft. His measurable are insane and  his potential seems limitless – although there are some serious off the field issues to take into account. He didn’t play in a single football game last year as a result of his conduct.

Some teams may not even be looking Green-Beckham’s way because of his character red flags. Others might be enticed by his incredible size. He could be the great redemption story of this draft.

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Green-Beckham is hands down one of the most exciting players in the draft and one of the most athletic players at his position. Is your favorite NFL team a potential landing spot for him? Well, just in case he is — here is everything you need to know.

He stands at 6’5″ and weighs 237 pounds. You read that correctly. No wonder scouts and fans are both drooling over his potential in the NFL. As others have pointed out, his size is most comparable to current NFL superstar Calvin Johnson. Will he be able to put his troubles behind him and harness his size and athletic ability like ‘Megatron’ has so masterfully done? That is the big question surrounding him.

Dec 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (15) catches a touchdown against Auburn Tigers defensive back Jonathon Mincy (6) during the first quarter of the 2013 SEC Championship game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

He started his college career playing for Missouri and he caught 87 passes for 1,278 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first two seasons in the SEC. However, he was dismissed from the team after his sophomore season due to legal trouble. Green-Beckham then transferred to the University of Oklahoma, but had to sit out the 2014 season due to NCAA rules. Instead of playing his junior season in 2015, the 21 year old wide receiver decided to head to the NFL.

Will NFL teams be willing to select a player in the first-round that sat out the 2014 season? Well, one report suggest that Green-Beckham absolutely dominated Oklahoma’s practices throughout the 2014 season. Perhaps that is enough for NFL teams to pull the trigger on him. As early as the 2015 season he could be one of the elite red-zone threats in the game due to his size and raw talent.

It’s clear he’s a dominant player, but if you’re not familiar with the trouble he’s gotten into I bet you’re curious.

What Trouble Has He Gotten Into?

Green-Beckham was arrested multiple times in college. He was arrested on marijuana charges twice, both in 2012 and 2014. That is obviously concerning for NFL coaches; especially because he is a repeat offender. However, those chargers hardly shine a negative light on his character as a whole. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the last of his off-field issues.

The reason why he was dismissed from the Missouri football team was because he forcibly entered a woman’s apartment and pushed a woman down the stairs. He wasn’t formally charged, however, because the woman involved decided not to press charges. That is a troubling incident and it is hard to overlook on a personal level. The same can be said professionally. This is especially true because of the NFL’s recent troubles with domestic abuse and its concerted effort to eliminate it among its players.

However, America loves a redemption story. Perhaps he will change his ways as he enters the professional phase of his football career. He is claiming that he’s changed and matured, but will NFL coaches believe him? Has he really changed? Only time can tell, although I certainly hope that is the case.

It should be noted that Green-Beckham didn’t have the easiest upbringing. He never met his biological father and was in many homes before his high school football coach brought him into his home in 2006, officially adopting him and his brother in 2009.

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

How Did He Do At The Combine?

All of the reports coming out of Indianapolis from the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine are positive for Green-Beckham. He ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, which is particularly impressive for a player of his size. He wasn’t the fastest wide receiver in Indy, but he did more than enough to show that he can carry his immense size at an elite level.

He benched 225 pounds 13 times, which is right about average for an NFL-hopeful wide receiver. His vertical jump was 33.5 inches. Now imagine that leading ability paired with his 6’5″ frame. Could Green-Beckham ever actually be covered?

Most importantly he showed the NFL that he can still catch the ball, despite not playing in a game in 2014. One report said that he made the gauntlet drill “look easy.” These reports, combined with Oklahoma coaches confirming that Green-Beckham had matured this season, could certainly propel him into the first-round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

If he does get selected in the first round one team would be getting a very exciting player — obviously.

What Teams Might Draft Him?

His character issues, which you’re well aware of, make him a risky first-round pick, but our own Keegan Matheson believes that is where he’ll be selected. I whole-heartedly agree that he is a first-round talent. However, if he gets into legal trouble early in his NFL career the coach that selects him will be hounded and questioned relentlessly.

Do any NFL coaches want to stick their neck out for him? I’m thinking that will be the case. He is well worth the risk.

The Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, and Seattle Seahawks and a few other teams could all be looking Green-Beckham’s way in the first-round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He might be a bit too risky for rebuilding teams like Miami and Cleveland, but the reward – if he stays out of trouble – could be huge. Seattle and Carolina would both love getting a stud wide receiver for their young and talented quarterbacks.

But is Green-Beckham the answer?

If he slides to the end of the first round and three wide receivers get selected behind him he could be considered the steal of the draft. Of course, that is implying that he will stay out of trouble. If Green-Beckham is available in the second round he could be one of the best selections in the draft.

Green-Beckham certainly has the tools to make a difference as a rookie. But will he prove that he’s changed and become the player he was meant to be?

As NFL fans, we can only hope.

Next: NFL Mock Draft: Each Team's First-Round Pick

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