Arizona Cardinals: Five biggest disappointments in 2016

By Scott Allen | Dec 28, 2016

Dec 24, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter as he is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) at CenturyLink Field. The Cardinals won 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) against the New York Jets at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Robert Nkemdiche

For the third season in a row, the Cardinals first-round draft pick turned out to not be much of anything special. Now, Robert Nkemdiche still has a chance to prove his naysayers wrong but it doesn’t look good right now.

Nkemdiche was supposed to be part of a nucleus pass rush the Cardinals were trying to improve. Instead they quickly found out Nkemdiche was not ready to be an NFL player on and off the field.

He spent a good portion of the season on the weekly inactive list, only recently getting playing time. He also arrived to the team plane one week not dressed appropriately.

Nkemdiche was not ready to be a professional football player. His preparation on the field lacked as well.

He’s not a lost cause though. Not yet. Cardinals fans need to give the young man another year to mature but if he fails to do so in 2017, he could be deemed a bust just as guard Jonathan Cooper turned out to be.

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