Ole Miss defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche may be the biggest question mark in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft, as 247Sports placed him as the top prospect in the nation coming out of high school, but he was never able to put up huge numbers with the Rebels. The 6-foot-4, 296-pound defensive lineman has had trouble off the field and was arrested and charged with marijuana possession after falling from an Atlanta Hotel window.
Nkemdiche was named an All-American for the second straight season following his junior season and recorded 26 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and three sacks. The talented defensive lineman remains a big question both on the field and off, but two teams that are looking hard at Nkemdiche in the 2016 NFL Draft are the Dallas Cowboys and the San Diego Chargers, according to Draft Insider Tony Pauline.
The Chargers could use Nkemdiche on their defensive line, but the team will scrutinize every aspect of his game, as they do not want to waste the third pick in the draft. The Chargers have multiple holes to fill, and the defensive line is likely at the top of that list. The 2016 draft class is expected to be loaded with interior defensive lineman, and it will be interesting to follow the Chargers, as they have multiple needs they are looking to fill in the lead up to the draft.
While the Chargers will do their homework on Nkemdiche, so will the Cowboys, as they are expected to be in the market for defensive linemen and pass rushers in the draft. Cowboys 2015 second round draft pick Randy Gregory has already been suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season, and Dallas has been known to take risks on players with off field issues. The Cowboys are reportedly taking a close look at Nkemdiche with the fourth pick in the draft, but it's unknown if the organization would take another risk on player with off field problems following the media circus in Dallas this past season.
Nkemdiche is clearly viewed as a first round talent, but many teams are skeptical on using a high pick on him, as it's unknown if he will be able to produce on the next level. Nkemdiche could boost his draft stock in the NFL combine workouts for defensive linemen on Sunday and will have to prove to teams that he is focused on football and worthy of a first round pick.