NFL Combine 2012: Why Quinton Coples Has the Biggest Character Issues

Whenever the NFL draft creeps around the corner, we always hear scouts mention “character issues” as a way of describing a player.

The 2012 NFL Draft won’t be any different than the rest. With players littered throughout the class with some type of character concerns, Quinton Coples of the North Carolina Tar Heels easily has the biggest issues.

When I judge character problems I look at two things: off-the-field trouble and questionable desire on the field. I would much rather prefer the former, but unfortunately Coples carries both.

Coples attended a post-draft party in the midst of North Carolina’s investigation. Not the best move.

It’s not great to attend a party like this to begin with, but what kind of judgment does it ultimately show towards a guy who decides to attend a party knowing that he’s not supposed to and that going could potentially impact his draft stock?

That’s just the beginning.

While it’s easy for teams to overlook the bad because of the good (talent), what I can’t get around is the lackluster effort on the field. According to Rotoworld, the highly-touted defensive end was accused of playing not to get injured in 2011.

Judging by the numbers, you could easily make that argument. His tackles and sacks dropped from 2010 to 2011.

Many teams believe that they can rectify the issues off the field, but what does worry teams are the on-field issues.

How do you correct that?

It’s a much more difficult answer than correcting off-the-field issues because of how often we see it.

In my opinion, Coples is a top-15 pick in the NFL draft, but I wouldn’t take him. I can’t overlook his issues on the field because I want someone who I know will play hard at a consistent level.

With Coples’ track record at North Carolina off the field and his questioned desire on the field, the 6’6” defensive end has the biggest character issues from a top-tier prospect in this year’s class.