(April is finally here. The NFL draft will be held April 28-30 in Chicago. We’ll periodically look at some of the top prospects in our Countdown to the Draft).
FLOWERY BRANCH – It's been a rough run-up to the draft of Mississippi defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche.
It started with his alcohol-infused night at a Buckhead hotel that led to a drug possession charge.
At the NFL combine, he was not convincing in explaining the events of that night and threw his teammate Laremy Tunsil under the character bus.
At his Pro Day, he admitted to being frustrated because teams questioned his desire to play football and cited him playing his saxophone at a Mississippi blues club in December.
The Falcons have the 17th overall pick, but will pass on Nkemdiche, who said he'd love to play at home. They are troubled by his inconsistent play. Most draftniks have Nkemdiche going in the latter parts of the first round and some have him slipping into the second around.
Q&A WITH NKEMDICHE
Q: What’s the reaction when you tell your side of the story?
A: They understand. Some of them ask me some more questions, but they understand. I was drinking. I was drunk, and it happened. Just stay way from it. Keep your focus where it needs to be.
Q: Why will (you not finishing plays in college) change when you're getting paid?
A: Because I know what's at stake and I know what I have to do as a player to be great in the NFL. I'm just going to keep focusing on the things I need to focus on as a player that I didn't focus on so much in college and that I know I need to get better at.
Q: You say you were drinking. It was a drug possession charge. How do you explain the inconsistency?
A: There were more people in my room. The hotel was under my name. Nobody wanted to take the fall. It had to go under my name. It just happened to play out like that.
NKEMDICHE BIO
Projected Round: Late first, early second. College: Mississippi. Height: 6-3 1//2. Weight: 294. Hometown: Loganville. High school: Grayson. Age: 21.
Highlights: He was the consensus No. 1 overall recruit in the nation after playing for former Grayson head coach Mickey Conn. He was an immediate starter for the Rebels. He played some defensive end and defensive tackle as a freshmen. He was a very good college player, but never lived up to his immense hype. His inconsistency is troubling to some NFL scouts. He played like Mean Joe Greene against Alabama and then disappeared against Arkansas. The uneven play is a red flag to some.
http://bcove.me/t8vs6c6c
FREE AGENCY STORIES
Falcons' Dan Quinn loyal to Shanahan, staff, amid heat
Linebacker Jerrell Freeman won't be joining Falcons
Weatherspoon hopes to revive career, where it started
Falcons agree to five-year deal with center Alex Mack
Mohamed Sanu: 'I'm not trying to fill anybody's shoes'
Alabama defensive tackles (A'Shawn and Jarran) are NFL-ready
Falcons defensive line coach Bryan Cox gets into shoving match at NFL combine
Floyd, Jenkins are stellar NFL prospects
Firm helps NFL prospects prepare for newfound wealth -- 7 financial pitfalls they'll face
Ex-Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins has met with the Falcons
Clemson's Shaq Lawson interviewed with the Falcons
Nkemdiche has uphill battle to improve NFL draft status
Nkemdiche would love to play for the Falcons
14 questions with Georgia Tech standout Adam Gotsis
Falcons checking out interior linemen at the combine
18 questions with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff
Quinn still evaluating the roster -- Nothing new on Roddy White
7 players the Falcons are watching at the combine
13 questions with Falcons coach Dan Quinn
5 questions with Duke punter Will Monday (Flowery Branch High)
26 State prospects hope to make impact at NFL combine
Synthetic turf chosen for Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Dimitroff, Quinn have activated the '100-day' plan
Stay or go: Pick Falcons' offense
Falcons owner Arthur Blank vows to fight cancer, move on Super Bowl bid
Falcons released safety William Moore, linebacker Justin Durant
