NFL Draft: Would Robert Nkemdiche make sense for Vikings?

NFL draft prospect Robert Nkemdiche has more than his share of red flags, but could he still be a target for the Vikings?

Robert Nkemdiche is trying to prove that he’s more than just the guy who missed a bowl game because he got really high and fell 15 feet off a hotel balcony.

The combine gave Nkemdiche a chance to not only show off his considerable athletic gifts, it also afforded him the opportunity to speak with teams and allay some of their fears about his character.

And how is Nkemdiche doing so far? Well, he’s definitely gifted athletically. Now about those character concerns.

Let’s put it this way: Nkemdiche isn’t doing himself any favors.

A few days ago Nkemdiche had a chance to stand before the media and talk about the incident that made him infamous. And he basically put his foot in it.

Of all the questionable stuff Nkemdiche said before the press, probably the worst was when got his teammate Laremy Tunsil in trouble by letting it drop that Tunsil was at the same party where Nkemdiche got high and fell out the window.

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Nkemdiche also said he was drunk and not on marijuana when he fell, though he still faces marijuana possession charges because he says “no one would take the fall” for him. Interesting explanation. Honest but maybe not prudent?

Reportedly, Nkemdiche’s private interviews with teams haven’t gone that well either. Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee JournalSentinel posted some quotes from scouts about the player:

"“He’s really a different kid,” said one scout. “He may scare some people. He’s strange strange.”“He’s got as much ability as anybody, if not more,” another scout said. “Three-technique is his best position. He’s a little bit up and down, but his good plays are very, very good. But there’s some things that have to be answered and worked through.”Added a third scout: “His character will keep him off the board for us. He’s talented enough to be in the top 10. But holy (expletive), buyer beware on this one.”"

The character red flags can’t be overlooked, but neither can the raw athletic ability. At the combine Sunday, Nkemdiche ran a 4.87 40 and posted a 35-inch vertical. At 6-6, 294 pounds.

Some team in the first round is going to talk itself into looking past Nkemdiche’s strange strange tendencies and take a shot with him. Should that team be the Vikings?

On the face of it, Nkemdiche seems like the last person in the world the Vikings would ever target. Minnesota is building a certain kind of culture and guys with these kinds of issues are assumed to be off the board entirely.

Still, you can’t help but be impressed by the athleticism and the potential. Nkemdiche could be a dominating three-tech in the NFL. Sharrif Floyd has been a good player for the Vikings for flashes but is unable to stay healthy and Minnesota might be well-served building up depth at defensive tackle in case they decide Floyd isn’t the long-term solution.

Next: No help at receiver in free agency

The good news for Minnesota is that it’s a deep draft at defensive tackle this year. They don’t need to take a chance on a Robert Nkemdiche in the first round if they don’t want. They can wait until the second and still get a potentially very good player at the position.

As intriguing as Nkemdiche may be, I can’t see the Vikings taking a chance on him. But some team will for certain.

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