Josh Shaw to Cincinnati Bengals: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

The Cincinnati Bengals started Day 3 of the 2015 NFL draft the same way they ended Day 2—finding great defensive value at a bit of a risk, this time at No. 120 with USC defensive back Josh Shaw.

Looking for versatility and youth in the defensive backfield, coach Marvin Lewis and defensive coordinator Paul Guenther had to like what they saw on film from Shaw.

While raw, Shaw can play safety and corner as he did at a high level with the Trojans.

Folks are sure to know Shaw for the national headlines he created after two ankle sprains from a strange off-field incident last year, but he's used the draft process to own up to his mistakes and move forward, as he did in a January interview.

"I take full accountability for what happened," he told Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples. "I learned from what happened. I would never embarrass my family, myself or any organization ever again."

Shaw provided more in a conference call with the media after the selection, per Joe Danneman of Fox 19 in Cincinnati:

Shaw's stock didn't seem to take a major hit, though, as NFL.com's Lance Zierlein graded him as a fifth- or sixth-round pick, with one NFC North scout telling him, "I know about the issues he had this year, but I did plenty of background work on Shaw and I had no problem giving him a passing character grade when I turned in my report."

40-yard dash (sec.)	Bench Press (reps)	Vertical Jump (in.)	Broad Jump (in.)	3-cone drill (sec.)
4.44	26	37.5	130.0	7.01

On the field, Shaw comes in at 6'0" and 201 pounds. He played corner and safety with the Trojans and is a versatile player who figures to provide a strong slot presence for the Bengals right away if the coaching staff deems him ready.

After his selection, Shaw opened up about his role with the team, per ESPN.com's Coley Harvey:

ESPN.com's Louis Riddick is one of many who think Shaw better projects as a safety at the next level:

Good news—Shaw will have the opportunity to do a little bit of both with the Bengals.

Cincinnati seems to have the future set on the outside with Dre Kirkpatrick and Darqueze Dennard, two former first-round picks. But Leon Hall will be 31 in December and Adam Jones will be 32 in September, so there's a need for a young slot corner.

Shaw can fill such a role. He's also a movable piece the team can bring on the field when it takes a linebacker off in passing situations, which is something it lost when Taylor Mays left for Minnesota this offseason.

Depending on how he develops, Shaw may also be able to function as a full-time safety down the road. George Iloka's coming off a breakout year, but Reggie Nelson will also turn 32 in September and Shawn Williams is unproven.

Shaw's addition may help to bump off fringe names such as Brandon Ghee and Onterio McCalebb. It's a worthwhile switch, though, as he offers more. With picks in the fourth round and beyond for a team as deep as the Bengals, versatility is what helps young players stick on rosters.

The Bengals hit the 2015 draft looking for youth and versatility in the defensive backfield and get it with Shaw. It comes at a solid value, too, as he was sure to be one of the team's highest-rated players on the board. 

Cincinnati was capable of going pretty much any direction at No. 120 and chose Shaw, which says a lot about him and Lewis' belief in him on and off the field.

Should he pan out as the versatile piece scouts think he can be, Shaw is yet another young piece to the secondary puzzle for a unit in a slow transition to a new era.

Grade: B

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of May 2. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.