Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Lions should have plenty of options with the 16th pick of the NFL draft.

At defensive tackle. On the offensive line. And at several other positions of need.

For that reason, ESPN analyst Todd McShay said in a teleconference today the Lions would be smart to pass on taking Ole Miss defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche in the first round.

“I think one of the top five most naturally talented individuals in this draft, and he backed that up with that combine workout, could wind up falling late in the first or out of the first round completely," McShay said. "I think for Detroit sitting at 16, with some other guys and such a deep defensive tackle class, and with some possibilities at offensive tackle ... there is enough other options where I would guess that Detroit would end up passing and not take that boom or bust option at No. 16."

The Lions, like many NFL teams, used one of their 60 formal combine interview spots on Nkemdiche last week as they try to figure out what to make of the talented but enigmatic pass rusher.

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Nkemdiche turned in a sterling workout at the combine, running a 4.87-second 40-yard dash with a 35-inch vertical jump at 6-feet-3 and 294 pounds.

But he was an inconsistent player on the field for Ole Miss last year, logging just three sacks in 11 games, and he comes with a host of off-field questions.

In December, Nkemdiche suffered minor injuries when he fell off the balcony of an Atlanta hotel. He was charged with possession of marijuana after the incident, and gave a half-winded explanation of the night's events at the combine last week.

McShay said many NFL teams have concerns about Nkemdiche that they don't about other defensive tackle prospects - Sheldon Rankins, Jarran Reed and A'Shawn Robinson are three much cleaner defensive tackle prospects projected to go in the middle of the first round - and that has made him a difficult player to project in the draft.

"It's hard to get somebody to say something really positive about Nkemdiche right now from the league," McShay said. "In talking to, I don’t know, maybe six or seven representatives from teams, whether it’s scouts or GMs or coaches, he did not do himself any favors at the combine and there’s enough concern. Ultimately, it’s about trust. Do you trust this individual to handle the fame, more fame than he’s ever had before in his life, more money than he’s ever had before in his life and more free time than he’s ever had before? And I think there are a lot of people in the league, decision makers, right now really questioning that."

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Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

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