NFL Draft results 2015: Josh Shaw taken by Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have selected cornerback Josh Shaw out of USC with the No. 120 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The former Trojan likely would have been taken higher if not for concerns about his character that surfaced last summer.

Shaw was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2014 season after lying about how he suffered severe ankle injuries last August. He initially told coaches that he jumped off an apartment balcony to save his drowning nephew in a pool, but later revealed that he actually injured himself while fleeing from police after getting into a dispute with his girlfriend. The senior captain played sparingly when he was reinstated in November, recording 11 tackles and zero interceptions in three games.

The defensive back was a combine standout, ranking first among cornerbacks in the bench press (26 reps) and also had above-average times in the 40-yard dash (4.4 seconds), broad jump (130 inches), vertical jump (37.5 inches) and 20-yard shuttle (4.12 seconds).

Despite the bizarre incident, Shaw was apparently well-liked and respected among his teammates. Scouts praise his high football IQ and he is also considered a reliable, consistent tackler with quick feet and fluid hips. Shaw’s positional versatility -- he played corner and safety at USC -- and muscular, athletic frame are additional strengths that should make him a valuable asset for any team. Shaw grades out on the field as an above-average prospect, but there are obviously concerns about his character that he’ll have answer at the next level.