Ad Disclosure
NFL personnel director saw flaws in Nkemdiche even before recent incident
Published:
Even now, Ole Miss defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche is widely considered one of the best defensive players in college football and likely to go in the first 15 picks of the NFL Draft.
One NFL personnel director has the exact opposite opinion of the Rebels’ star.
Not only would he not take him in the first 15 picks, but he wouldn’t have done so even before being charged with marijuana possession and falling 15 feet from a hotel window in Atlanta earlier this month.
In a report from NFL.com analysts Charles Davis, Daniel Jeremiah and Lance Zierlein, one AFC personnel director was adamant in not reaching for the 6-foot-4, 296-pounder in the early portion of the draft.
“I know he gets a ton of attention, but I’m leery … actually, I would stand on a table and tell my franchise to not take him in the top 15 picks.”
The personnel director explained his reasoning by saying he believes Nkemdiche, while being a great talent who can use the athleticism he showcases with his bull rushes and speed, is not a natural pass rusher and “flagged” the Rebel numerous times for not finishing plays.
Earlier this week, the junior said that he intends to apply for early entry into the NFL Draft after being suspended for Ole Miss’ matchup against Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
