Cardinals Pick DL Robert Nkemdiche out of Ole Miss in the First Round of the NFL Draft
By Francisco Romero
With the 29th pick of the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals picked DL Robert Nkemdiche out of Old Miss.
Experts believed that Nkemdiche fell all the way to the 29th pick in the draft because of problems associated with the player during his collegiate career, but he is regarded as one of the best athletes in the draft.
The 6’3”, 294 lbs. player was arrested for marijuana possession; he was suspended from the team’s bowl game after the incident, ultimately he decided to enter the NFL draft.
This is how nfl.com describes the abilities of Nkemdiche: Exceptional build. Carries no bad weight and has outstanding thickness and power through his rear, thighs and calves. Plus movement skills and runs like a defensive end. Has reactive explosiveness for expanded range as tackler near line of scrimmage.
The defensive lineman has said that the incident in college is in the past and ready to help his new team in the NFL.
The defensive lineman a two-time first-team All-SEC selection and a two-time second-team All-America pick while at Mississippi. In three seasons at Ole Miss, Nkemdiche started 34 of the 35 games he appeared in and recorded 98 tackles, 7.0 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and five passes defensed.
Nkemdiche also appeared on offense at Ole Miss, rushing nine times for 34 yards and catching one pass for 31 yards. He scored three TDs in 2015, two rushing TDs and a 31-yard receiving TD.
The Cardinals certainly like the pick and are willing to give this gifted young athlete a second chance.
“From a talent perspective he has tremendous skills, height, weight, speed, rare movement, tremendous flexibility for a big man,” said Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim. “Not only is he a guy who think can be a tremendous player, but he has great schematically flexibility, he has the ability to bounce from anywhere across the defensive line.”
Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians likes what he sees in Nkemdiche and what he brings to the organization, “H has been effective everywhere, he is a nigh mare for a guard or center,” said Arians.
Nkemdiche joins a Cardinals defensive line that has Calais Campbell, Frostee Rucker, Rodney Gunter and Ed Stinson.
The draft will continue until Saturday, the Cardinals have six picks in this year’s draft.
The selection of Nkemdiche marks just the second time in the last 14 NFL Drafts that the Cardinals have used their first round pick on a defensive lineman (DT Dan Williams, 26th overall in 2010).
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