Risks are usually unrewarded

Seattle has benefited from taking Jerramy Stevens, but Denver wished it had passed on Maurice Clarett.

Updated: April 17, 2006, 2:22 PM ET

By Todd McShay | Scouts Inc.

NFL teams place a great deal of importance in the character of a player. However, in some instances a prospect with off-the-field problems is just too talented to pass up, and a team will hope he can clean up his act at the professional level.

Our scouts have identified some of the biggest character risks from the last five drafts and evaluate how the selections look at this point.

Maurice Clarett, RB, Ohio State -- Broncos 2005 (Third round)
Clarett rushed for 1,237 yards and 18 touchdowns in his lone collegiate season in 2002, helping Ohio State to a national championship. Unfortunately, that was the last game Clarett played for the Buckeyes. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor after admitting he lied when he said $10,000 in clothing, CDs, cash and stereo equipment was stolen from his car in the summer of 2003. Ohio State later suspended Clarett for misleading investigators and for receiving special benefits from a booster.

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