Baltimore Ravens: Ole Miss defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche to visit Thursday
By Joe Serpico
The Baltimore Ravens will host one of the biggest question marks of the 2016 NFL Draft when Ole Miss defensive end Robert Nkemdiche visits Thursday.
Robert Nkemdiche is a name you are going to hear a lot about leading up to the draft. Some view him as a potential elite NFL talent, while others think he underachieved while at Ole Miss. The one thing we do know is that clubs are intrigued as the former Ole Miss defensive lineman is set to meet with 16 NFL teams leading up to the draft.
The interest by the Baltimore Ravens comes as no shock. The Ravens have openly said that they need a better pass rush, but no move has been made since NFL free agency opened. Nkemdiche could still be there when the Ravens are on the clock at No. 36, and he has the physical traits to be another intimidating presence on the line for defensive coordinator Dean Pees.
His speed at his size is the first thing that jumps out on tape. He is explosive off the snap and has an array of moves to get after the passer. He can play anywhere along the defensive line and even showed off his wheels by scoring three offensive touchdowns in 2015. Just look how fast he gets down the sideline and into the end zone on this reception.
Not only is Nkemdiche lightning quick for a defensive lineman, he’s physical at the point of attack. He has the strength to move would-be blockers out of his way and get into the backfield in a hurry. He also is great at lowering his pad level and pushing lineman back into the play.
The knock on Nkemdiche is that he didn’t put up gaudy numbers for a player touted as the best defensive lineman prospect of the 2013 recruiting class. In the three seasons at Oxford, he recorded just seven sacks with no forced fumbles. He only had 19 tackles for loss, but still garnered postseason accolades in all three seasons at Ole Miss.
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He will need to explain to coaches what exactly went wrong this past December. Nkemdiche fell from a fourth-floor hotel window and was transported to a hospital for his injuries. The Atlanta Police Department found seven marijuana cigarettes in his room and he was charged with drug possession. He was suspended for the 2016 Sugar Bowl for the incident, and declared for the draft shortly after.
Where the Ravens would play Nkemdiche is tricky to figure out. He could play defensive end, but clearly has the speed to play outside linebacker as well. Pees could use him as a joker and line him up all over the field.
Whether he is still available at 36 remains to be seen. His versatility will be a strength and could help him sneak into the latter part of the first round. He is meeting with several teams that hold late first-round picks, so it would be no surprise if he’s off the board when the Ravens are up.
Baltimore could take the chance on Nkemdiche if they feel he is the next great pass rusher. His off-the-field problems will certainly be an issue with the team, but he has the potential to be a terrific pass rusher in the NFL. The Ravens struggled to get after the passer with Terrell Suggs out for the season.
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It would come as no surprise if the Ravens select him if he is still there at 36. Nkemdiche was one of the biggest prospects when he entered college football and that remains the same as he prepares to enter the NFL.