Fansided

Top 20 NFL breakout candidates in 2017

By John Buhler

Oct 23, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) is introduced prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) is introduced prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 20
Next
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
18

Robert Nkemdiche

Defensive End, Arizona Cardinals

Robert Nkemdiche’s rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals was an utter disaster. The former No. 1 high school player in the 2013 graduating class spent three years at Ole Miss before going to Arizona at No. 29 in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Nkemdiche appeared in six games as a rookie and did absolutely nothing on the gridiron. Arizona took a gamble on an immense talent with a troubled past. Needless to say, Nkemdiche has a ton riding on a good 2017 NFL campaign.

This is because the Cardinals lost two huge pieces of their starting defense. While Chandler Jones, Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson remain in the Valley of the Sun, defensive lineman Calais Campbell now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars and safety Tony Jefferson signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

Perhaps drafting Nkemdiche at the end of the first round last spring was done to potentially offset Campbell’s departure from Glendale? Cardinals general manager Steve Keim knew that Campbell would be hitting free agency in 2017. Having a talent like Nkemdiche coming up through the pipeline could allow the Cardinals better financial flexibility this season.

That being said, Nkemdiche has to do something on the field for Arizona to get a third year. He has a huge opportunity to prove to head coach Bruce Arians he was worth the first-round selection. Nkemdiche has all the talent in the world. It would be a shame if he can’t put it together professionally.

Home/NFL