The Baltimore Ravens had done a relatively good job of staying out of headlines for the wrong reasons for the better part of a decade. That is, until Ray Rice's domestic violence incident became the hottest off-the-field topic in the fall of 2014. Now, almost eight months after letting the then-27-year-old running back go following the release of a video showing Rice punching his fiancé in the face in an Atlantic City elevator, it seems the Ravens will do everything in their power to steer clear of prospects with off-the-field "red flags" in next week's NFL draft.
... Or will they?
Coupling the Rice debacle with the fact that eight Ravens have been arrested since February 2014, general manager Ozzie Newsome and owner Steve Bisciotti originally told media at the "State of the Ravens" press conference in February they did not want to bring players with any history of domestic violence into the organization moving forward. "Somebody who has domestic abuse in their background, it's going to be tough for them to be considered a Raven," Newsome said.
Fast-foward a couple months later to a Ravens' pre-draft press conference at the beginning of April and that sentiment doesn't seem quite as prevalent as the draft approaches April 30.
Not only did the Ravens' front office say they've taken no draft prospects off their board, Newsome also confirmed the team brought perhaps the biggest and brightest red flag of the 2015 class in for a visit: wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham.
Green-Beckham, a member of the Missouri football team in 2012 and 2013, was dismissed from the team in April 2014 following a burglary and assault investigation in which he allegedly pushed a woman down the stairs. Though Green-Beckham was never charged in the incident, his alleged involvement, along with three arrests involving marijuana (one in 2012 and two in 2014), has NFL teams wary of using a high draft pick on the receiver.
So after all that, why would the Baltimore Ravens be interested in taking a chance on Green-Beckham?
You have to start with the fact that arguably the Ravens' position of greatest need is wide receiver. While the club is also believed to be seeking help in the defensive backfield, both at cornerback and safety, along with tight-end depth and a pass rusher, it is believed Baltimore is looking to add an impact receiver in the first round if possible.
What better fits the description of an impact receiver than a 6-foot-5-inch, 230-pound athlete with great speed, great hands and physicality to match? That's Dorial Green-Beckham.
Many draft analysts consider the 22-year-old a top-ten talent if not for the aforementioned character issues. The Missouri native was the nation's highest-rated prospect coming out of high school, was the National High School Player of the Year, and led the University of Missouri Tigers in all major receiving categories in 2013.
So the question is, if Green-Beckham is available when the Ravens are on the clock with the No. 26 pick in the first round, would the team pull the trigger on a high-risk, high-reward prospect at a position of serious need? There's overwhelming potential in drafting Green-Beckham, but it's unclear which will impact the Ravens' decision more: the potential superstar or the potential headache?
Is it overwhelmingly likely the organization drafts Green-Beckham? Probably not. But is there at least a decent chance? Absolutely. Which receivers are left on the board when the Ravens' first-round pick comes up will certainly play a part in the decision. While Alabama's Amari Cooper, West Virginia's Kevin White and Louisville's Devante Parker are expected to go off the board well before the Ravens' first selection, other receivers, such as USC's Nelson Agholor, Arizona State's Jaelen Strong and Miami's Phillip Dorsett, could give Baltimore more options if they're still around late in the first round.
Don't forget about the possibility of top talents at other positions who might entice the Ravens falling down the board. Running backs like Georgia's Todd Gurley and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon, along with Nebraska outside linebacker Randy Gregory, Alabama safety Landon Collins and Washington cornerback Marcus Peters all have the potential to slip towards the end of the first round.
There are many different directions the team could go in when it comes to next week's draft, particularly in the first round. Without a doubt, though, none is more intriguing than the possibility of Dorial Green-Beckham. That selection could bring the Ravens an impeccable talent, a major problem or a scrutinized public image.
Or all three...
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