Is it already time to consider Nkemdiche a bust?

[Veer]

Nkem too early to tell. Humphries - at age 22 - is holding his own after being labeled a bust and not even being active in his rookie season. Analyzing his play Humphries is far away from being a finished product, but I'm 100% sure he will continue to grow. Maybe Nkem follows the same path. It's not like our DL consists of some scrubs, we are #2 total defense for a reason.

And the breakdown of all Keim drafts is way too pessimistic, and I'm no optimist by any means and I've been very harsh on Keim. Just look up other teams' draft classes over the years and we are right up there with the best. The 2015 class has been amazing, got us 5 starters. 2013 and 2014 were at least average. 2016 jury is still out obviously. Trades and FAs also worked in our favor more often than not.

 

[JeffGollin]

This is what can happen when you draft according to BPA despite having quality depth at that position.

We have other DL guys who among other things, held Hyde to something like 12 yds on 11 carries.

It's not so much that Nkemdiche is a bust. Rather that the other guys are that good and we can afford to bring him along the right way.

Patience, Grasshoppers.

 

[splitsecond]

In echoing some of the other posts, I think part of the reason he wasn't active against the niners is frankly because he wasn't needed. Still too early to tell.

 

[Stout]

Nkem too early to tell. Humphries - at age 22 - is holding his own after being labeled a bust and not even being active in his rookie season. Analyzing his play Humphries is far away from being a finished product, but I'm 100% sure he will continue to grow. Maybe Nkem follows the same path. It's not like our DL consists of some scrubs, we are #2 total defense for a reason.

And the breakdown of all Keim drafts is way too pessimistic, and I'm no optimist by any means and I've been very harsh on Keim. Just look up other teams' draft classes over the years and we are right up there with the best. The 2015 class has been amazing, got us 5 starters. 2013 and 2014 were at least average. 2016 jury is still out obviously. Trades and FAs also worked in our favor more often than not.

Humphries is getting destroyed, and I hope NK does MUCH better his second season than Humphries is.

 

[Mitch]

I am wondering if the coaches should ask NK to drop some weight and play him as a rush DE in sub packages.

 

[Bodha]

Hes difficult to assess because he was a project to begin with.


He is very similar to Branden Williams. A high-end athlete who has big potential. But little resume. I hated the pick. My issue with him was that he did nothing in college. Absolute ghost in most games. But occasionally he would flash big talent.

So really, hes not doing anything different from what hes always done. He did nothing in college. And is doing nothing in the NFL.

Awful logic behind the pick. You dont ever draft on potential, IMO.


But to answer the Q - No, hes not a bust yet, just for the simple fact hes still a rookie.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Hes difficult to assess because he was a project to begin with.


He is very similar to Branden Williams. A high-end athlete who has big potential. But little resume. I hated the pick. My issue with him was that he did nothing in college. Absolute ghost in most games. But occasionally he would flash big talent.

So really, hes not doing anything different from what hes always done. He did nothing in college. And is doing nothing in the NFL.

Awful logic behind the pick. You dont ever draft on potential, IMO.


But to answer the Q - No, hes not a bust yet, just for the simple fact hes still a rookie.

Huh, that's what every draft pick is based upon.

 

[Bodha]

Huh, that's what every draft pick is based upon.

No, its different. Draft picks are judged on a balance of college career and pro ceiling.

Its why the pass rushers with the top sacks numbers go first. Its also why sometimes the pass rushers with the top sack numbers dont go first, because maybe they had poor combines, and therefore their ceiling projections were hurt.

The difference with Nkemdiche is hes 100% a ceiling guy. Zero balance in the assessment. If he were getting graded solely on his college career output, he wouldnt be drafted.

 

[Buckybird]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...a-cardinals-latest-loss-drains-hope/94176658/

Apparently RN still thinks he's "all that".

Screw this kid, some players just don't ever get it & Keim better start drafting better or this team is gonna be a laughingstock in a few seasons.

 

[Broseph]

I dunno man, he's been disappointing so far but I am just disappointed with this team in general from top to bottom. I am losing faith in BA and SK and what they are trying to put together. SK absolutely needs to nail this draft, no stupid projects etc. This team has some glaring holes that need to be filled.

 

[juza76]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...a-cardinals-latest-loss-drains-hope/94176658/

Apparently RN still thinks he's "all that".

Screw this kid, some players just don't ever get it & Keim better start drafting better or this team is gonna be a laughingstock in a few seasons.

1. Finally an article of a local journalist with no reverence

 

[Mitch]

1. Finally an article of a local journalist with no reverence

Well said and documented, Bickley!

 

[Russ Smith]

No, its different. Draft picks are judged on a balance of college career and pro ceiling.

Its why the pass rushers with the top sacks numbers go first. Its also why sometimes the pass rushers with the top sack numbers dont go first, because maybe they had poor combines, and therefore their ceiling projections were hurt.

The difference with Nkemdiche is hes 100% a ceiling guy. Zero balance in the assessment. If he were getting graded solely on his college career output, he wouldnt be drafted.

he only had 6 sacks in college which was clearly a red flag. Great athlete we'll see how he pans out

 

[Russ Smith]

Does Jake Arians have any official position with the team? I don't think the NFL can fine the Cards but you gotta wonder he's been doing this all season. He told the truth after Carolina he said the refs had already admitted they blew the fumble call. He has deleted a bunch of his tweets from yesterday but not the F you to the NFL that he apparently sent directly to the NFL twitter account.

he posted on his page yesterday that the refs told Bruce at halftime they missed the holding call, I haven't seen that anywhere else. But he said that after the Carolina game and it turned out to be true.

I do think like Fitz with his dad, Bruce needs to get his son under control it can't help anything to have him constantly blasting refs on social media.

 

[Chopper0080]

Yeah, that article puts a bunch into perspective. Nkemdiche doesn't seem to get it, which was the worry all along. We will see. Maybe he gains focus, but I haven't seen any sort of self awareness from him to make me believe he will.

Arians comments on the special teams is laughable.

Minter's comments are also laughable.

I agree on Bowles if he is fired.

I am shocked that this team is not more buttoned up, but obviously they struggle with the details which has hamstrung them this year.

 

[Russ Smith]

Yeah, that article puts a bunch into perspective. Nkemdiche doesn't seem to get it, which was the worry all along. We will see. Maybe he gains focus, but I haven't seen any sort of self awareness from him to make me believe he will.

Arians comments on the special teams is laughable.

Minter's comments are also laughable.

I agree on Bowles if he is fired.

I am shocked that this team is not more buttoned up, but obviously they struggle with the details which has hamstrung them this year.

I guess I don't get the Nkemdiche thing? Are the Cards surprised that an immature rookie who was VERY immature in college is still immature? If they're not playing him because of the dress code they shouldn't have drafted a guy who is clearly not a conformist.

Yes I get that Arians is trying to teach him to be a pro and it's probably a sign of how he practices but again, that's who he was in college, it's not going to happen overnight for him. We got lucky with HB he had his career taken away from him in college, had essentially a year to think about it and then PP helped mentor him. That hasn't been the case with Nkemdiche and he wasn't nearly the player in college that HB was.

Great physical talent, raw, very disappointing so far but I'm not at all surprised he's having issues fitting into the team rules, you draft a kid like that it's almost a given that happens.

Tough for me to blast a young rookie for that when the coaching staff keeps screwing up.

 

[azsouthendzone]

The last two drafts were pretty poor. Got lucky with David Johnson and that's about it. The quickest way to nose dive as an organization is to miss in the draft. Need to stop reaching.

 

[Buckybird]

The last two drafts were pretty poor. Got lucky with David Johnson and that's about it. The quickest way to nose dive as an organization is to miss in the draft. Need to stop reaching.

Yep

 

[Chopper0080]

I guess I don't get the Nkemdiche thing? Are the Cards surprised that an immature rookie who was VERY immature in college is still immature? If they're not playing him because of the dress code they shouldn't have drafted a guy who is clearly not a conformist.

Yes I get that Arians is trying to teach him to be a pro and it's probably a sign of how he practices but again, that's who he was in college, it's not going to happen overnight for him. We got lucky with HB he had his career taken away from him in college, had essentially a year to think about it and then PP helped mentor him. That hasn't been the case with Nkemdiche and he wasn't nearly the player in college that HB was.

Great physical talent, raw, very disappointing so far but I'm not at all surprised he's having issues fitting into the team rules, you draft a kid like that it's almost a given that happens.

Tough for me to blast a young rookie for that when the coaching staff keeps screwing up.

Well, yes, he is what the pre draft worries said he was. I believe, like Humphries last year, the Cardinals thought they could coach him up. But, not every player wants to change, and Keim is seeing the result of so many projects taken in the draft. This is where Keim and Arians have to be on the same page. This all being said, when Nkemdiche has been on the field, he has not been anything special.

 

[Chopper0080]

This highlights my frustrations in general with the draft. When are evaluators going to realize that this is league for grinders. You have to get players who are going to want to grind out a career. That is the big difference between how the Cards draft and how teams like the Pats and Seahawks draft. Use free agency to sign short term, vet players to fill in holes. Use the draft to add players who will help build and reinforce your culture of hard work and discipline.

 

[Reign Blood]

It takes a decent DLman a couple of seasons to make an impact in general. RN is going to be our next Dan Williams. Picked low in the first rd and not having an impact early. #truth

 

[Russ Smith]

This highlights my frustrations in general with the draft. When are evaluators going to realize that this is league for grinders. You have to get players who are going to want to grind out a career. That is the big difference between how the Cards draft and how teams like the Pats and Seahawks draft. Use free agency to sign short term, vet players to fill in holes. Use the draft to add players who will help build and reinforce your culture of hard work and discipline.

Well the Pats and Seahawks actually take a fair amount of risk early in drafts and the Pats are quick to move them if they don't buy in.

I wasn't thrilled with the pick but I didn't hate it either I figured DL wasn't a huge immediate concern but would be next year when I think Nkemdiche should be ready to help.

But I do agree Keim has to hit more on his early picks, especially next year he can't have another Humphries or Nkemdiche pick it has to be a guy who comes in and plays right away and helps, unless it's a QB where he's probably sitting behind Palmer.

 

[kerouac9]

Well the Pats and Seahawks actually take a fair amount of risk early in drafts and the Pats are quick to move them if they don't buy in.

I wasn't thrilled with the pick but I didn't hate it either I figured DL wasn't a huge immediate concern but would be next year when I think Nkemdiche should be ready to help.

But I do agree Keim has to hit more on his early picks, especially next year he can't have another Humphries or Nkemdiche pick it has to be a guy who comes in and plays right away and helps, unless it's a QB where he's probably sitting behind Palmer.

Keim also has to draft legit football players with his mid- and late-round picks. One reason that our special teams is godawful is because guys who should be solid contributors like Marqui Christian, Brandon Williams, Harlan Miller, Shaq Riddick, and Gerald Christian either are on other teams' rosters or out of the NFL altogether.

It's really bad if your physically gifted 3rd round DB can't put those gift to use for more than 6 snaps a game.

 

[mjb21aztd]

maybe i mean has he played more than 3 series this season....

hope he does better next year not to positive on that though

 

[Chopper0080]

Keim also has to draft legit football players with his mid- and late-round picks. One reason that our special teams is godawful is because guys who should be solid contributors like Marqui Christian, Brandon Williams, Harlan Miller, Shaq Riddick, and Gerald Christian either are on other teams' rosters or out of the NFL altogether.

It's really bad if your physically gifted 3rd round DB can't put those gift to use for more than 6 snaps a game.

This is by no way a belief that I have an statistical backing for, but there is a belief that special teams play can be attributed to your overall LB depth and talent. I never put a ton of weight to it, but our lack of depth a quality at LB has gone hand in hand with our decline in special teams play.