Mike Green's draft stock falling due to DE's sexual assault allegations and poor interview process with teams: Report
Marshall defensive end Mike Green's stock is reportedly falling going into the second day of the NFL draft because of off-field problems. He had been considered a first-round pick in many mock drafts, but sexual assault allegations have reportedly derailed his selection process.
According to NFL insider John Frascella, the allegations, coupled with the fact that he did not make a good impression during his interviews, have left teams wary of selecting him.
"Marshall Edge Mike Green is dropping in the NFL Draft due to sexual assault allegations, but he ALSO bombed the interview process, per source," Frascella tweeted.
Mike Green has previously denied allegations and talked up his skill set
Green revealed during the NFL combine that he had faced two sexual assault allegations. One was when he was in high school, and the other was when he was in Virginia which necessitated his transfer to Marshall. He denied both of them.
Green said that he left because of the accusations and not because he was guilty.
"I’ve done nothing wrong. There’s accusations out there. I’ve never been questioned. I’ve never been asked. Nobody ever asked me a question about what happened before I departed from Virginia. It was just accusations that caused me to leave,” he said.
Instead, he has highlighted his physical and mental skill set, saying that he has become better as a run defender while maintaining his elite status as a pass rusher. He asked teams to take a look at his tape and promise to get better in the future.
"My physical skill set has always been there. Pairing that with the mental aspect, it’s helped me become a significantly better run defender. I’ve been having more success in that area because I put the mental hours in... I’m versatile and I understand how to react to offensive linemen. It’s helped me a lot along the way. I think I’ve gotten better as a pass rusher every single year. It’s going to keep getting better as well."
However, his interviews with the media and his denial of any guilt don't seem to have moved the needle much, as he fell out of the first round and did not see much traction at the top of the second round either. Other pass rushers were taken ahead of him, forecasting a path for him into the NFL that might not be straightforward.