5 Prospects Minnesota VIkings Must Avoid in Early Rounds of 2015 NFL Draft

The Minnesota Vikings have famously put faith in a handful of precarious prospects over the past two decades and have been rewarded handsomely for taking these risks. However, the 2015 draft class offers multiple prospects dangerous enough to decisively end Minnesota's streak of good luck.

In terms of contemporary players, the Vikings' good fortune with sketchy prospects began with Randy Moss in 1998. After having his scholarship pulled by Notre Dame, Moss starred at Marshall University and was ultimately selected by the Vikings 21st overall.

Among others, this list of players with noticeable off-field issues includes Percy Harvin in 2009 and current star defensive end Everson Griffen in 2010—he did have to wait until the fourth round to hear his named called unlike Moss or Harvin, though.

Furthermore, the Vikings took a top-10 selection-caliber risk on a running back named Adrian Peterson back in 2007, despite multiple teams passing on him due to his significant collarbone injury.

Minnesota's history of success with flawed prospects makes it easier to accept the possibility of general manager Rick Spielman spending an early round pick on a player such as wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham.

But feeling comfortable doesn't necessarily mean it is in the best interest of Minnesota to test its luck.

There is no doubting the level of talent possessed by each of the following 2015 prospects. Nevertheless, their respective draft concerns should force Spielman and the Vikings to think twice before employing an early round selection to acquire them.

WR Deontay Greenberry, Houston

eric gay/Associated Press

Not all draft concerns need to be colorful to spell "warning," and Houston's Deontay Greenberry exemplifies this.

Minnesota could publish a book filled with its successes with prospects that reveal potentially detrimental character or injury concerns. The Vikings' Achilles heel, however, is their inability to receive a return on investment from prospects with raw potential.

Cordarrelle Patterson aside, Minnesota's most recent raw-talent blunder occurred back in 2005.

The Vikings spent their No. 7 overall selection on lightning-fast wide receiver Troy Williamson only to see him fail miserably. As Jason Woods of Football Guys pointed out, the South Carolina prospect possessed rare gifts, but he was extremely raw in basically every key aspect of his position—especially catching the football.

It is slightly unfair to compare Greenberry with Williamson, as they are different prospects with considerably different draft stock. Regardless, the 6'3", 200-pound true junior is noticeably raw from a mental, physical and fundamental standpoint.

Simply, he hasn't developed a "knack" for the wide receiver position yet, and it may potentially take him multiple years to do so. His frame may appear ideal, but he isn't strong enough to consistently break press coverage at the NFL level. Greenberry's route-running ability is also subpar, which becomes an even greater concern due to his below-average recognition skills and undeveloped football IQ.

Minnesota cannot afford another Patterson in its receiving corps. As a result, it is highly unlikely Spielman targets Greenberry in any round, let alone the first three.

OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Despite being a presumed first-round draft pick in 2014, Cedric Ogbuehi decided to return to school to hone his skills. Unfortunately, this decision may have cost him millions, as he tore an ACL during Texas A&M's Liberty Bowl matchup with West Virginia.

Medical treatments have improved significantly over the years, but tearing an ACL remains one of the most damaging injuries an athlete can suffer. Correspondingly, Ogbuehi's first-round draft stock will almost certainly suffer as well, according to Bleacher Report's Matt Miller:

"

Injury this time of year generally results in sizeable draft stock hit. Cedric Ogbuehi was Rd1 pre-ACL injury. Could be Rd3/Rd4 redshirt now

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 12, 2015"

However, some scouts, such as ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., still believe he could still hear his name called during the second round.

While it would be nice to see this deserving player be selected close to the position he earned, the Vikings should not be the team in charge of writing the feel-good story.

The last time Minnesota spent an early round selection on an offensive lineman was in 2012, and it hasn't exactly worked out as planned. If the Vikings do elect to move on from Matt Kalil with a 2015 prospect, the team cannot afford to gamble.

Teddy Bridgewater's health is just too important to the team's future to wager an early round selection on a potential injury disaster. With that said, the risk would be worth the reward if he does fall into the fourth round as Miller suggested he has the potential to.

RB Todd Gurley, Georgia

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

Continuing with the theme of ACL injuries, transcendent running back prospect Todd Gurley suffered the same fate as Ogbuehi during Georgia's November matchup with Auburn last season.

Still, many draft experts—Miller included—have Gurley pegged as a first-round pick. Even if his injury does force him into becoming a second-round selection, the Vikings need to look elsewhere.

Gurley and fellow superstar-in-the-making Melvin Gordon III receive most of the attention, but the 2015 running back crop is stacked with above-average talent. As great as Gurley could be when he recovers from his injury, this reality devalues his draft stock.

Although it is beginning to look like Peterson will return to the Vikings in 2015, which would give the team a perfect situation to rest Gurley until he is fully recovered, drafting a running back that has already torn an ACL earlier than the third round is an unnecessary gamble.

He may have the same prestige as a running back prospect, but this doesn't ensure Gurley possesses the same inhuman recovery ability as Peterson.

If the Vikings are looking to draft a running back, steering clear of the injured Gurley in favor of a healthy (and comparable) third- or fourth-round prospect could save Minnesota from a Marcus Lattimore-type situation.

S Josh Shaw, USC

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

At this time last year, Josh Shaw was beginning preparations for his senior season as a defensive captain of the USC Trojans. His character attributes in combination with an ideal frame, impressive athleticism and developed, fundamental defensive back skills were quickly building a case for Shaw to be a first- or second-round pick in 2015.

As they often do, one indefensible mistake changed everything.

Consistent with his reputation, reports surfaced prior to the collegiate football season that Shaw had sustained an ankle injury heroically saving his nephew from drowning. What appeared to be an example of Shaw's enviable character quickly evolved into the exact opposite.

Following reports Shaw had fabricated the story of how he sustained his injuries, the Trojan cornerback admitted the real story of what happened.

In a shocking revelation, Shaw was actually attempting to flee the scene because he noticed police cars approaching his apartment. He had just been involved in a heated argument with his long-term girlfriend, which he maintains did not become physical, and was fearful about the possibility of being arrested due to his race and appearance.

This lie not only tarnished Shaw's reputation within the sports media community, but also resulted in an indefinite suspension and thorough police investigation. Consequently, he missed all but the final three games of his senior season.

No matter who Shaw was or what he is able to prove over the next few months, this situation will follow him to the NFL. At face value, he appears to be dysfunctional and unpredictable—traits most teams hope to avoid at all cost. In addition, his response raises questions about why he would react in such a way.

Barring a dramatic revelation, bypassing Shaw could shield the Vikings from a major headache down the road.

WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Former Missouri (and sort of Oklahoma) wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham could be the biggest risk-reward prospect in NFL draft history.

Possessing a dominating frame, rare athleticism and generational talent, Green-Beckham's gifts and prospect potential are likely best compared to Calvin Johnson. Unfortunately, he also concedes a generational off-field list of concerns.

After committing to Missouri as the Rivals No. 1 national recruit, Green-Beckham's journey to success was beginning to take the shape of a triumphant success story. He overcame a ton growing up, but his antics in college quickly overshadowed his accomplishment.

In a matter of just one year, Green-Beckham was arrested for possession of a pound of marijuana, was investigated by the police for his role in a domestic violence incident and was dismissed by Missouri. He would later be deemed ineligible to play at Oklahoma—the school he signed with following his dismissal—by the NCAA and was forced to sit out all of last season.

Additionally, this archive of legal incidents will follow him to the NFL. In fact, upon being drafted, there is a possibility he will begin his career suspended by the league. Thayer Evans of Sports Illustrated reported Green-Beckham recently met with the NFL to discuss how the new personal conduct policy could affect him:

"

DGB in talks w/ NFL on how new personal conduct policy could impact him. Still likely 4 draft, but not official. http://t.co/Euj3QgWXLQ

— Thayer Evans (@ThayerEvansSI) January 6, 2015"

Whether he is suspended from the beginning or not, Green-Beckham will be on a very short leash. He essentially will play his entire career under a zero tolerance policy, which based on his history, could result in him not even making it to the 2015 regular season.

Early round draft picks are too valuable to risk on a player who not only is one strike away from league expulsion, but also maintains a history that suggests he will fail. He may be in a league of his own from a talent perspective, but this doesn't justify devoting earlier than a fourth-round selection to acquire him.

Minnesota could really use a talent like Green-Beckham, but it could also use the talent of any top-100 prospect that will be available in the draft's first three rounds.

"

Had a chance to see Dorial Green-Beckham this morning. He's definitely in shape after sitting out a year.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 29, 2015"

Unless he is available in the fourth round or later, Minnesota cannot allow itself to be the team to find out if his sustained physical condition is an indication that Green-Beckham has become a mature, responsible adult capable of having a long NFL career.

Player news reports courtesy of ESPN and Sports Illustrated.

Statistics courtesy of Sports-Reference.com, unless otherwise noted.

For more Vikings analysis and discussion, find me on Twitter @RobertReidell, and be sure to keep tabs on Minnesota Vikings Draft for draft analysis from a Vikings perspective.