NFL Draft Top 50, Nos. 21-30: Character hurts DGB, Marcus Peters

Shutdown Corner has compiled information from teams, watched college tape and gathered our notes from the Senior Bowl and NFL scouting combine to assemble our top 50 overall prospects available in the 2015 NFL draft.

We'll roll our list out 10 players at a time this week, counting backward from 50 (along with those who just missed the cut). Please note: These are the best players available — and not where we think the prospects will be drafted.

21. Kentucky OLB-DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree 
6-4, 269

Incredibly explosive athlete who put on a show at the combine and who routinely made plays on an undertalented defense against top-tier talent in the SEC. Some scouts worry that Dupree might not have the diagnostic skills or pure instincts to play as a linebacker in space, reading keys and reacting, but others feel he's an ideal fit as a 3-4 rusher who can bend the edge, set the edge vs. the run and lay the wood. In the right system that highlights his athleticism and doesn't overcomplicate his assignments, Dupree could be a plus defender with borderline Pro Bowl impact. He might win more early on his athleticism and will need to develop more of a pass-rush arsenal, but Dupree has the ability to contribute immediately in some form and grow into a fine player in time.

NFL comparison: Connor Barwin

Draft range: Picks 9-25

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22. Pitt OT-OG T.J. Clemmings
6-5, 309

The former defensive tackle took huge strides in his second year playing right tackle, harnessing a defensive mentality in a mashing run game where he was one of the Panthers' main drive blockers. Clemmings is long-armed, plays with nastiness and seeks to get out to the second level and bury defenders. He sometimes has trouble adjusting to speed and showing hesitation at times when he's asked to process complex blitzes and stunts. After so-so performances at the Senior Bowl and the combine, Clemmings' stock feels a little volatile. But we'll continue going back to the tape, knowing that in time he could be special with the right growth and teaching. He could play guard, too, and a strong pro day effort on Tuesday should ensure that if he slips out of Round 1, he won't last long thereafter.

NFL comparison: What Jake Matthews would be if he had a different last name

Draft range: Top 35 pick

23. ex-Washington CB Marcus Peters
6-0, 197

The biggest knock against Peters has been his volatility and the circumstances behind his repeated troubles at UW, which led to his dismissal. Since then, Peters has gone into backpedal mode, taking full responsibility for his immature actions. As a player, there might not be a better playmaker in this class. Although some scouts worry he's too grabby and overaggressive, Peters has great feel for the pass game, is super competitive and carries a chip on his shoulder. He's a risk-reward prospect with a high ceiling.

NFL comparison: Byron Maxwell

Draft range: Late first round

24. Florida State DT Eddie Goldman

6-4, 336

Powerful, broad-framed, country-strong nose tackle who can control gaps, disrupt blocking schemes and jar smaller centers and guards with his excellent punch. On a depleted interior line at FSU last season, Goldman stepped up and became the team's playmaker last season against both the run and pass. He'll never be a gap-shooting pass rusher, but Goldman has great two-gapping potential and could help anchor up front as a 40-45 snap player. Could he play in a 4-3? Yes, but either way his best bet will be to play at the nose or as a shade up front, doing the dirty work.

NFL comparison: Terrance Knighton, who took a few years to develop

Draft range: Top 25 pick

25. ex-Missouri WR Dorial Green-Beckham
6-5, 237

One of the most polarizing and difficult projections in the entire 2015 class, Green-Beckham possesses rare measurables and infinite potential as an above-the-rim and red-zone monster on a team that is patient in teaching him route subtlety, how to use his body better and play with better strength off the line. But there might not be a top prospect with as many character concerns as DGB, who was involved in two marijuana incidents at Mizzou and was kicked out of school for an alleged domestic-violence incident, even though no charges were filed. Picking Green-Beckham (in Round 1, anyway) likely will require ownership approval, but If the right receivers coach can give him the structure he needs, and his future team is willing to mentor him closely, that team could be rewarded with a special talent.

NFL comparison: Plaxico Burress

Draft range: The Rams took troubled cornerback Janoris Jenkins 39th overall in 2012, and DGB shouldn't fall below that mark this year, even with all his questions

26. Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon
6-1, 215

Big-play back with burst through the hole and surprising size and musculature. Gordon has his limitations in the passing game, both as a receiver and on blitz pickup, and has a fumbling issue that will give scouts pause. But Gordon has moves upon moves, sees holes before they open up, runs to space beautifully and is one carry away from a home run. Does he have blazing, pull-away speed? No, but Gordon has enough burst to be a great first- and second-down runner. But that's the debate scouts are having: Do you draft that kind of back — or any type of back, for that matter — in this day and age?

NFL comparison: Lamar Miller

Draft range: Second round

27. Mississippi State LB Benardrick McKinney
6-4, 246

Long 'backer with inside-outside and scheme versatility and good lower-body strength. Not great in coverage but adequate, McKinney has some blitzing ability and can stack and shed fairly well against the run. He also competes on special teams and has played 80-plus snaps in SEC games before. Although McKinney might not have rare, sideline-to-sideline speed, but he anticipates plays well and always seems to be around the ball. A jack of many trades, master of none, McKinney could be a productive, reliable player for the next decade but he might never be a star.

NFL comparison: Former Packers LB Nick Barnett

Draft range: Top 50 pick

28. Virginia OLB-DE Eli Harold

6-3, 247

Lean-framed, long-armed edge rusher with burst off the snap and some real edge-bending potential. Harold is a little thin-legged and could stand to fill out a bit in an NFL weight program, and he can get knocked off course from powerful offensive linemen. But he gets skinny through the hole, stunts and twists well inside with quickness and has a great motor and pursuit on plays, especially from the backside. Playing in space is still something he'll need to continue to develop, but he comes from a 3-4 defense and should be able to adapt to a similar scheme seamlessly in the NFL, especially if his assignments are streamlined early on. In time, he could be a front-line pass rusher but maybe never an elite one.

NFL comparison: Ahmad Brooks and Rosevelt Colvin

Draft range: Late first round to mid-second

29. Minnesota TE Maxx Williams
6-4, 249

The 20-year-old redshirt sophomore put on a strong athletic display at the combine, even if his 40-yard dash (4.78) was not terrific and his bench-press number (17 reps) showed just how the smooth-muscled Williams can develop with more strength added. He's an exciting player to watch, with upside to be a top receiving talent even if he doesn't show a lot of separation ability. Williams makes some athletically gifted plays with flair and only should get better with refinement. He's not a blocker yet and might never be a terrific in-line run blocker, best used as a detached tight end as he was in the Gophers' offense.

NFL comparison: The game of Jason Witten and the style of Jeremy Shockey

Draft range: Given the lack of tight end depth, he should be off the board by the middle part of Round 2

30. UCLA LB Eric Kendricks
6-0, 232

Fiery, instinctive, smaller-framed 'backer who racked up huge tackle totals, played fast and set the tone for the Bruins' defense. Kendricks is the brother of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks and yet doesn't possess the same physical traits, even if both are good athletes. Eric could end up as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense or an outside 'backer (likely a "Will") in a 4-3, and he could be a coach's dream if he can stay healthy, add a little bulk and time his blitzes a bit better. He will be a film junkie and endear himself to pros right away.

NFL comparison: A poor man's Lavonte David

Draft range: Second round

The rest of the Top 50 list

Nos. 41-50: Devin Funchess talented but flawed player
Nos. 31-40: Cedric Ogbhuehi tumbles but has talent

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm