Robert Nkemdiche released

[Sam_Z]

I know this guy has been nothing more than a bust in AZ. But could Fangio work some magic with him in Denver?

Or is that too much a feat even for Vic?

[EddieMac]

I think, he is a bust.. by all accounts there has been zero effort out of him..

[Butler By'Note]

I don't really see the fit. He's a 295-310 pound player, which puts him likely as an end in base downs, but the Broncos have Wolfe, Gotsis, DeMarcus Walker (apparently having a great camp) and Dre'Mont Jones all as Ends. Then you have the players listed as NT in Zach Kerr, Shelby Harris (likely more of an end in base), and Mike Purcell. Kerr and Purcell both having definite NT size. That's 7 linemen, and there's a real chance they could only keep 6, does he make the team over any of these players?

Then we factor in the number of games missed (he's played 27 games in 3 seasons, starting just 6) and the lack of any real defining numbers: 44 total tackles and 4.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in those 3 seasons.

I don't see a fit scheme wise, I don't see a fit in that he's not going to beat most of those players out, especially coming in 2 weeks into camp. Then there's the lack of effort, the injuries and of course the reason Arizona released him, the failed physical. To me he looks like a guy who is on his way out of the NFL rather quickly.

[WYBRONCO]

Maybe a league minimum look through training camp to see if our staff can motivate him? I doubt it happens though. There was a time when I was hoping Denver would draft him, glad I was wrong.

[Sam_Z]

Maybe a league minimum look through training camp to see if our staff can motivate him? I doubt it happens though. There was a time when I was hoping Denver would draft him, glad I was wrong.

Same here!

I also actually thought AZ was going to be a force up front with him, Campbell and Jones at one time.

[CanDB]

Maybe a league minimum look through training camp to see if our staff can motivate him? I doubt it happens though. There was a time when I was hoping Denver would draft him, glad I was wrong.

Same here!

I also actually thought AZ was going to be a force up front with him, Campbell and Jones at one time.

It is sad how many times really good young players never pan out, for one reason or another. If you go back to any draft year, in almost any sport, expectations sometimes do not align with outcome. I too thought this was guy was going to be a known commodity, for the right reason.

I usually hope for these types to make good on second chances. But unfortunately, 2 chances are about all you can ask for in the bigs.

[beastlyskronk]

To be fair, Nkemdiche accumulated almost all of his stats last season on an abysmal team. He could’ve been putting it all together. But of course multiple arrests this offseason and showing up out of shape even though he’s on the PUP after a torn ACL in December will hurt your chances with a new coaching staff.

He’s likely going to be an IR stash for anyone that signs him. If he realizes how closed he is to losing out on being able to play in the NFL he’ll be a steal for some team because his physical ability is immense.

Would be a great excuse to get rid of Kevin Hogan though but that’d have to be after our first preseason game.

[Murph2432]

Maybe a league minimum look through training camp to see if our staff can motivate him? I doubt it happens though. There was a time when I was hoping Denver would draft him, glad I was wrong.

I’d still take him that year over Paxton Lynch. Plus, he would have better locker room leadership here with our D vets. Things could have been different.

[WYBRONCO]

I’d still take him that year over Paxton Lynch. Plus, he would have better locker room leadership here with our D vets. Things could have been different.

Well that is fair. I was not a big fan of the Paxton Lynch pick, and at the time would have much rather had Nkdemdiche. Maybe with our group things turn out different for him. A work ethic change is still needed if he is ever going to be effective in this league.

[Butler By'Note]

I’d still take him that year over Paxton Lynch. Plus, he would have better locker room leadership here with our D vets. Things could have been different.

They've just spent the last two years trying to clear out players with issues, and have spent two drafts trying to draft high character players. I don't see any benefit in adding a low character player who has shown nothing at the NFL level thus far.

As for the Lynch comment, I'd rather they have drafted a useful player, not either one of those two.