The Arizona Cardinals came to terms with their first round pick from the 2016 NFL Draft.
Eight days after making him their first round pick, the Arizona Cardinals, and Robert Nkemdiche came to an agreement on a contract, according to nfl.com.
The former Ole Miss Rebels defensive tackle was taken with the No. 29 pick but could have gone in the top 5-10 picks if not for some concerns about his off-the-field behavior.
Nkemdiche came to Ole Miss as the nation’s top high school recruit but he never quite lived up to that potential with the Rebels. The overall team success was there but the individual success of Nkemdiche left a lot to be desired because of his lack of impact plays.
He didn’t get the sack, tackles for loss or forced fumbles numbers that his talent level and potential would suggest, but maybe the Cardinals can tap into that vast potential and he’ll be a better professional than he was at Ole Miss. He was viewed as one of the riskier draft prospects and has a lot of boom-or-bust to his game.
If Nkemdiche can prove his off-the-field behavior which included a citation for marijuana possession on the night of his highly publicized fall out of a hotel is in his past and he’s willing to grow up and be an adult, the Cardinals could have a steal on their hands.
Nkemdiche has the versatility to line up all over the Cardinals defensive line so look out for the former two-time All-SEC selection during his rookie season in Arizona.
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