Raising Zona
FanSided

Arizona Cardinals: 3 players to pass on in the draft

By Vijay Singaraju

Sep 13, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) steps up to the line during the game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) steps up to the line during the game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

With many possibilities available in the draft, here are 3 players the Arizona Cardinals should avoid.

In the NFL draft is in a little over 3 weeks, and the Cardinals by now should have a semblance of a draft strategy. With recent off season acquisitions of Chandler Jones and Evan Mathis, the draft strategy should have been changed. No longer is the selection of a defensive lineman a given in the first round, and the Cardinals now have the luxury of possibly drafting a quarterback early.

There are many talented players in this year’s draft that the Cardinals will consider drafting. On the flip side, there are some players that the Cardinals should avoid drafting. Here are three players Arizona should avoid drafting.

Sep 13, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) steps up to the line during the game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) steps up to the line during the game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

Robert Nkemdiche, Defensive tackle, Ole Miss

From a physical standpoint, Nkemdiche is a stud. At 6’3″ 294 pounds, he has the physical size to be an NFL defensive tackle. In addition he has powerful legs and is explosive off the line of scrimmage. He also possesses good lateral quickness and a promising spin move.

The praises stop there.

A number 1 recruit out of high school, Nkemdiche could only muster up 6 total sacks and 81 total tackles in his 3 seasons in Oxford, Mississippi. He has also never forced or recovered a single fumble.

Apart from his lack production as a defensive lineman, there are many character concerns and off the field incidents that has teams hesitant to take the Rebel. Numerous questions have been raised about his work ethic and his character. While I don’t like to hold what a player does in his personal life against, Nkemdiche made poor choices that ultimately put his life in danger.

At a party in an Atlanta hotel in December, Nkemdiche broke the hotel room window, climbed a wall and fell 15 feet resulting in hospitalization. This incident ultimately led to his dismissal from the Ole Miss football program. Later at the combine, Nkemdiche told the media that fellow teammate Laremy Tunsil was also present at the same party in December where drugs were inside the room.

While he may be physically gifted, Nkemdiche’s lack of production at a position of need for Arizona and numerous off the field concerns does not fit in well with the team and its Super Bowl aspirations.

Home/Cardinals Draft