Let's go for a little clarification here:
Ellis was kicked off the South Carolina squad prior to the 2008 season after multiple infractions. He transferred to Hampton and played there 2008-2010. He was suspended by Hampton for the first game of the 2010 season, cause unknown. There is NO report of an assualt (that's Phil Taylor as far as I know), all of Ellis' violations were either related to drug use (reported to be marijuana identified through failed tests, and accumulation of missed meetings, classes, tardiness, etc.). He apparently did enough at Hampton to keep himself out of the coach's doghouse up until game one of this season.
Is there a concern? Yes. Is it prohibitive to his being drafted by NE? I'm recalling Ron Brace and his rookie campaign, out of shape, poor work habits, assorted other minor issues. Somehow NE felt it reasonable to risk #40 on Brace, and this season saw some return on that investment courtesy of the Vince Wilfork Motivational Speaker Program. How does Ellis compare? Perhaps a shadier past, but not so much backsliding after the initial meltdown. Did Hampton see a problem starting to develop and nip it early? Perhaps, they are experienced with kids needing a second chance after truly stupid behavior, many worse than Ellis'. Ellis has a higher ceiling than Brace to go with that greater risk, is it worth another mid-round second (presuming trading seems reasonable)? I think NE has done some in-depth due diligence, the team which drafted Brace, Gronkowski (back injury), Spikes (slow as molasses), Bethel Johnson, Chad Jackson, Vollmer (greenhorn OT), and without researching I'm sure other risks in the second round, isn't going to need a coin flip to decide to gamble. The talent checks out, NE just has to risk second round money. From patscap:
Ron Brace - ProFootballTalk.Com's Aaron Wilson reported on July 17, 2009 that "Patriots have agreed to terms on a four-year rookie deal with second-round defensive lineman Ron Brace that includes $2.82 million in guaranteed money and carries a maximum value of nearly $4.5 million, according to a league source. Per the source, Brace will receive a $1.68 million option bonus next March as well as a $454,000 roster bonus in the middle of next month. The first-year salary is guaranteed and the second-year salary will include $373,000 in guaranteed money.The contract includes a fourth-year escalator clause based on playing time that could boost the total value of the deal to the $4.5 million level." I am figuring that the $2.82 million in guaranteed money consists of the following: $454,000 2009 roster bonus, $310,000 2009 salary, $1,680,000 2010 option bonus, and $373,000 of his 2010 $395,000 salary. I am guesstimating that his 2011 salary is $586,000 and that his 2012 salary is $777,000 so that his deal perfectly tracks the 25% rule for rookie deals. With my presumption Brace's contract has a maximum value of $4.202 million excluding offseason bonuses
Rob Gronkowski - Unsigned 2010 draft picks are automatically tendered the rookie salary of $320,000.
July 26, 2010 update ProFootballTalk.Com's Mike Florio blogged that "Gronkowsi's deal pays a signing bonus of $1.76 million and a one-time incentive based on minimum playing time in the amount of $830,000. The contract includes minimum base salaries ($320,000 in 2010, $405,000 in 2011, $490,000 in 2012, and $575,00 in 2013). The 2013 base salary is fully guaranteed for skill and injury. Also, $255,000 of the 2012 salary is guaranteed. (Once the one-time incentive is earned, the base salaries become non-guaranteed.) In all, $2.59 million is guaranteed; the only question is whether it the $830,000 above and beyond the signing bonus comes from the one-timer or the guaranteed base salaries in 2012 and 2013. The deal also includes $30,000 in workout bonuses for the last two years, triggered if the one-time incentive is earned."
Two examples with some nice guaranteed money, but I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't language which can be included voiding some of those guarantees in the wake of a failed drug test or other misbehavior.