NFL Rumors: Robert Nkemdiche, Noah Spence, Patriots, & Saints

Robert Nkemdiche

Jason Cole of B/R reports that Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche wasn’t impressive during his interviews with NFL teams.

Multiple coaches have said that Nkemdiche was unimpressive and the kind of guy you want to be “very careful with.”

A head coach tells Cole that he wouldn’t have Nkemdiche on his team, but added that he could be the kind of player you look to add after his rookie contract is up once he learns how to be a pro.

Even with the obvious concerns, Cole still anticipates Nkemdiche being a first-round pick when all is said and done.

• Tony Pauline reports that Nkemdiche currently has 15 individual visits already set up, despite reports that teams have removed him from their draft boards.

Noah Spence

Kimberly Jones of NFL Media spoke with NFL sources who indicated that Eastern Kentucky OLB Noah Spence is overrated and not a first-round pick.

“Perhaps now we can stop the narrative that he’s going to be a first-round pick,” Jones’ source said, with another source telling her he “didn’t see anything special.”

An NFL GM told Jones that Spence does posses an important ability to rush the passer.

“When you look at the Super Bowl and (conference) championship games, it was pass rush. You have to have a pass rush, guys who can win one-on-one matchups. He’s got that unique ability to win one-on-one matchups,” said the GM.

However, he isn’t sure if he can trust Spence moving forward.

“I don’t know yet,” the GM said.

Draft

• Matt Miller of B/R mentions Clemson DE Kevin Dodd, Texas A&M OT Germain Ifedi and Boise State S Darian Thompson as speculative options that would make sense for the Panthers.
• Tony Pauline reports that word was spreading at the Combine that USC DT Antwaun Woods suffered a “significant” pectoral injury during the bench press.

Patriots

• Doug Kyed of NESN is tracking all of the Patriots’ formal interviews at the Scouting Combine.
• Kyed’s list consists of 20 players including Florida DE Jonathan Bullard, Penn State DT Austin Johnson, and USC LB Su’a Cravens.

Saints

• Jason Cole of B/R reports that Saints DE Cameron Jordan underwent lower-back surgery this offseason to correct a “minor issue.”
• Jordan is not expected to miss a lot of time during the offseason, despite the procedure.
• Cole adds that Jordan played the latter part of the season and the Pro Bowl with the issue, and the Saints had no issues with him doing so.