Arizona Cardinals: 5 players who must improve in 2018

1. Robert Nkemdiche

The Cardinals took a risk on Nkemdiche with the 29th pick in the 2016 draft, and he’s delivered 12 total tackles and zero sacks over just 17 games and 335 snaps in two seasons. But he’s getting a proverbial clean slate with the new coaching staff, and there has to be some hope the move to a 4-3 defense is a better fit for him too.

Nkemdiche has been a preseason star, before ankle and calf issues proceeded to respectively derail his first two seasons. His athleticism was on display once last season in a meaningful game, with a 22-yard scoop and score for a touchdown against Eli Manning and the New York Giants.

Very early in the offseason, with a better evaluation surely in place now, Cardinals defensive coordinator Al Holcomb pointed to a focus on Nkemdiche’s development.

“In the little bit of film that I’ve observed and watched, he’s obviously, at times, jumped off the tape,” Holcomb said. “He’s got some ability. That’s something that when we get into Phase 1 and Phase 2, we’re going to sit down and discuss some things and find out exactly what makes him tick.”

Next: Minnesota Vikings: 5 players who must improve in 2018

But defensive line coach Don Johnson nailed it, at the same point in time, with the latter part his assessment of how the 2018 season should be viewed for Nkemdiche standing as especially astute.

“It will be a great evaluation process,” Johnson said. “The window of opportunity is open for him.”