2015 NFL Draft: Dorial Green-Beckham Draft Profile

Wide receiver prospects standing 6-5, 220+lbs that run a 4.4 forty with game breaking ability rarely fall outside the top five let alone the first round. When that prospect comes with major character concerns, especially in today's NFL, teams are forced to reevaluate the risk vs the reward.

There is no denying Dorial Green-Beckham's (DGB) talent. But a scary rap sheet littered with arrests could force teams to remove him from their draft boards altogether. Recent histories with huge WR talents like Josh Gordon and Justin Blackmon have helped serve notice to teams willing to take the risk. The notice is clear: Proceed with caution.

The Basics:

School: Missouri/Oklahoma
Class: RS Sophomore
Height: 6-5
Weight: 237lbs
Arm length: 32 1/2"
Hands: 9"
40 yard dash: 4.49
Bench: 13 reps
Vertical Jump: 33.5"
Broad Jump: 119"
3 cone: 6.89
20-yd shuttle: 4.45

Pros:

• Prototype size and speed.
• Natural ability to locate and high point the ball regardless of defensive positioning.
• Elite catch radius makes him really tough to cover.
• Long stride gets him on top of corners quickly and deceptively which makes breaks in routes tougher to read.
• Game breaking ability with the ball in his hands and skills to take any pass to the end zone.
• Unlimited ceiling if he dedicates himself to getting better in every facet of the game.

Cons:

• Well documented character concerns with multiple arrests for marijuana. Was also investigated but never charged in an alleged domestic violence incident.
• What might hurt his stock more than the character concerns is the year away from football in 2014 after transferring from Missouri. The extra year of experience would have done him wonders.
• Very raw in route running and wasn't asked to run a complete route tree.
• Still learning how to be a complete receiver and will need refinement in many areas including route running, blocking, and adjusting to NFL defensive schemes.
• DGB got by in high school and college by being a man amongst boys. He will need to prove he has the work ethic necessary to become elite.

Doing Your Homework:

Check out DGB's game vs Kentucky here. He makes a great TD catch at the 5:20 mark.You can also check out his games vs Ole Miss, Auburn, Texas A&M and others over at DraftBreakdown.com.

Why he fits the 49ers:

For too many years to count, the 49ers have been in search of an elite number one receiver. They're in need of someone who can stretch the field, consistently come down with 50/50 balls, and someone who is a scoring threat from anywhere on the field. DGB checks each one of those boxes.

In terms of on the field skill and potential, DGB is a top five pick and it's not every day a prospect with that sort of talent is available in the middle of round one or even round two. DGB isn't safe pick but I'd argue the potential reward is so great that it may well be worth the risk.

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops acknowledged that DGB stayed out of trouble while at Oklahoma. Consider, too, who his teammates would be. Anquan Bolden and Torrey Smith could both play integral parts in DGBs maturity and development.

Plus, barring injury, he wouldn't have to bite off more than he could chew. DGB could be brought along slowly and used as a red zone option initially until he demonstrates he's ready to be an every down receiver.

Why he doesn't fit the 49ers:

The 49ers have already had their names attached to some off the field stories and don't need another black eye should DGB get in trouble again. There's a chance he has matured and is headed in the right direction and I truly hope that's the case. He could very well end up being a superstar. But, there's also a chance he continues his troublesome behavior pattern and ends up facing significant suspensions or worse.

There is plenty of receiver depth in this year's class. Maybe it's best to let DGB be someone else's risk.

What they're saying:

• SB Nation's Dan Kadar ranks DGB 17^th overall in his latest top 300.
• Albert Breer of NFL.com reported before the combine what one scout told him regarding DGB: "He's one of the best receivers I've ever seen. He's special. He's gigantic; he has tremendous body control, balance; he runs like a deer and can leap out of the gym and high-point the ball. He's special. It's impressive. If not for all that stuff, he'd be the best receiver to come out since Calvin Johnson."
• The 49ers are interested or at least pretended to be when the met with DGB at the combine.
• Check out DGB's stats over at cfbstats.com.

Conclusion:

I've been on the DGB train for months now and to be honest, I wouldn't hate it if he was the pick at 15. BUT, I'm not as sold on it as I once was. Not because anything changed in how I feel about DGB but because the 49ers simply cannot afford to miss on this year's first round pick, whoever it is.

As tough as it’d be to pass on DGB in round one, it might be the smartest move. If by some chance he falls into the second round, however, the value would be tremendous.