When the Arizona Cardinals selected Robert Nkemdiche with the 29th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, it had the makings of a potential steal. Nkemdiche had all the physical talent in the world and once was considered to be a potential top-five pick in that class. Instead, concerns about his work ethic and motor dropped him to the late first round where the Cardinals happily scooped him up.
However, Nkemdiche’s first three seasons in Arizona were underwhelming, to say the least. In his first two seasons, he had just 12 tackles and no sacks. He was playing behind some talent on the defensive line his rookie year, but even with an increase in playing time, he struggled.