Should the Dallas Cowboys take a flier on Robert Nkemdiche?

The Arizona Cardinals released Robert Nkemdiche on Saturday. Should the Dallas Cowboys take a shot on the talented but troubled defensive lineman?

Former first-round pick Robert Nkemdiche was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday. The cut was supposedly made due to the fact that he reportedly came into camp out of shape. This news should raise the antennae of the Dallas Cowboys.

Rated as the number one overall recruit during his senior year of high school by ESPN, Nkemdiche was highly touted as he headed to Ole Miss to play college football. Even during his college days, he was still highly regarded as a can’t miss prospect that would one day wreak havoc at the next level.

Nkemdiche does have his baggage though, as he was arrested before entering the NFL during the odd fiasco where he fell out of a hotel window and was subsequently charged with possession of marijuana.

The 24-year-old was also arrested recently in Arizona on several traffic violations that included speeding and driving on a suspended license.

While this baggage will certainly follow Nkemdiche wherever he goes, Arizona had declined to pick up the defensive lineman’s fifth-year option prior to his most recent run-in with the law. While cutting him at this point didn’t seem imminent, it doesn’t surprise much considering that they had already seemed to be in the mode of moving on from the troubled defensive lineman.

When it comes to the question at hand here though, whether the Dallas Cowboys should take a flier on Nkemdiche or not, yes they should. The answer is what it is for a few reasons.

With his market value right now being at an all-time low, he should be a low cost-high upside type of option that won’t cost the Cowboys much to sign. If he doesn’t pan out, stirs up any more trouble, or just doesn’t fit, then he could be let go.

With the Cowboys unsure if Randy Gregory will be made available to them this season, this would be a good option for depth. With his size and ability to rush the passer from the interior, he could definitely help.

While it isn’t an absolute necessity to take a chance on Robert Nkemdiche, it wouldn’t hurt the Dallas Cowboys one bit. That’s why they should at least look into the possibility of taking a flier on the former first-rounder.