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San Francisco 49ers: High-Risk, High-Reward Prospects in 2016 NFL Draft

By Jerod Brown

January 26, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of Levi's Stadium during a field preparation press conference prior to Super Bowl 50. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 26, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of Levi's Stadium during a field preparation press conference prior to Super Bowl 50. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) steps up to the line during the game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) steps up to the line during the game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

Robert Nkemdiche-Defensive Tackle-Ole Miss

College Statistics

It wasn’t that long ago that Nkemdiche was being discussed as a potential top-5 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. However, things have changed in a hurry for the once highly-touted defensive tackle out of Ole Miss.

Depending on who you’re talking to, Nkemdiche could go late in the first round or he could be scratched off of a team’s boards completely. The main issue is an arrest that involved Nkemdiche falling out of a hotel window after using synthetic marijuana. The story is incredibly odd and is likely a major red-flag for some teams.

The NFL’s policy on marijuana is largely considered outdated but the reality is that they are the employer and they have set clear restrictions. Like it or not, Nkemdiche was interested in bending the rules and that certainly isn’t a first impression worth being proud of.

Since the incident, Nkemdiche has answered questions, including at the 2016 NFL Combine, but teams will still see him as a major risk to take within the current NFL environment. A team will take a chance on him but they better have a strong structure in place to support rookies with troubled pasts.

Nkemdiche is the type of prospect that makes teams overlook some of the off-field stuff that muddies his evaluation. He has ideal size at 6’3″ and 294 pounds. The 49ers may be looking to beef up their defensive line considering Williams’ potential absence and Nkemdiche could be available early in the second round for the 49ers. The team will have to assess whether the risk, and media headache, of bringing in Nkemdiche is worth trying to maximize his talents.

In addition to Nkemdiche, teams are worried about those that he might be bringing along with him, namely his brother.

If the issues of Johnny Manziel have taught us anything it is that, despite what teams might say, managing the actions of players off the field is increasingly difficult with negative influences around. Asking Nkemdiche to isolate himself from family isn’t exactly an endearing task, but it might be the only way to ensure that his talent doesn’t go to waste.

If the 49ers feel comfortable in their veteran leadership and ability to support a troubled prospect, they may take a risk in selecting Nkemdiche. He has talent that makes him worth a much higher pick than he’ll figure to be in April. The 49ers may be a team that benefits from his drop.

Next: Maximizing the Undersized