Dorial Green-Beckham Impresses at Combine, but Stock Dependent on Past Concerns

No matter what former Missouri wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham does on the field during the 2015 NFL combine, his athletic performance remains secondary to the questions he has to answer about his off-the-field actions. 

There is absolutely no way to deny Green-Beckham's physical talent

He stands 6'5" and weighs 237 pounds. Comparisons are readily made to the Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson, because the two are very similar physically. 

The comparison is a little over the top, though, as Detroit Lions staff writer Tim Twentyman illustrated: 

However, many were impressed with Green-Beckham's speed at his size. 

The former Missouri Tiger ran an unofficial 4.50-second 40-yard dash in his first attempt. The wide receiver bettered himself on his second run, clocking in at 4.49. 

Bleacher Report's Matt Bowen wasn't shy about the growing interest in Green-Beckham: 

Fox Sports' Joel Klatt was also blown away by the massive wide receiver's speed: 

While the Johnson comparison may be over the top, Green-Beckham is much closer to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, who was selected seventh overall in the 2014 draft and played tremendously well as a rookie. 

If the two stood back-to-back, they would appear nearly identical. At least year's combine, Evans measured in at 6'5" and 231 pounds. He also ran an official 4.53-second 40-yard dash. 

The one major difference between the two is arm length. 

Green-Beckham's arm length is surprisingly small for a 6'5" wide receiver. His arms measured at 32.5 inches. Evans, on the other hand, has arms that are over 35 inches long. 

The wide receiver's workout went beyond an impressive 40-yard dash time, too. 

The native of Springfield, Missouri, appeared smooth and athletic with strong hands during position-specific drills, as The Kansas City Star's Terez A. Paylor noted: 

A strong workout even has some, such as NFL Network's Brian Billick, wondering if Green-Beckham can overtake the class' top three wide receivers—Alabama's Amari Cooper, Louisville's DeVante Parker and West Virginia's Kevin White:

Bleacher Report's Dan Hope even placed Green-Beckham in elite territory: 

Green-Beckham is clearly talented. He owns first-round ability. His past history, though, remains the primary concern. 

Talent will eventually trump trepidation in nearly every instance, but when that happens is in question. 

Will a team be willing to spend a first-round pick on Green-Beckham with his history? Does it make the pick easier if he starts to slide into Round 2 or 3?

Each organization will make that decision individually. 

"I think the consistent problems for [Cleveland Browns wide receiver] Josh Gordon are going to leak over and hurt his draft stock," an anonymous NFC director of personnel told NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. "He couldn't keep himself out of trouble, had no structure growing up and didn't take coaching at Missouri. He's tall and fast and has good hands, but he can't be trusted. Why would you take a guy like that before the third day?"

All of the physical talent in the world doesn't mean anything if that player can't stay on the field. 

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Gordon led the NFL in receiving yardage during the 2013 season, but he's also been suspended numerous times and he won't play during the upcoming season as a result. 

Like Gordon, Green-Beckham was dismissed from one university before trying to unsuccessfully transfer and eventually pursuing a path to the NFL.

Green-Beckham was dismissed from the University of Missouri after a particularly disturbing allegation that involved a burglary and pushing a woman down a flight of stairs. It wasn't his only incident during his time in Columbia either. The wide receiver was arrested on drug charges at one point. He was also suspended twice by head coach Gary Pinkel before his eventual dismissal.

When asked about his past history at the combine, Green-Beckham didn't provide much on an answer. 

"All the decisions I made, I wish I could take them back," the wide receiver offered, via SI.com's Joan Niesen. "It happened. I was young. I made mistakes. I understand that.

"I know what’s at stake. I know what type of person I am, and I realize what the NFL is looking for in me as a person. I want them to know that I’m going to go out there and give it my all."

Hint: The NFL isn't worried about what you can do on the field. They're scared to death by another public relations nightmare. The league took hit after hit because of Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and others. Green-Beckham isn't exactly entering the league at the best time based on his past history. 

Some team will eventually take a chance on a truly talented player, but it will only do so once it's completely comfortable with the person more so than the player. 

Brent Sobleski covers the NFL draft for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.