Editor's Note: The above video is from Feb. 26, 2016.
The Raiders want a closer look at talented, yet controversial draft prospect Robert Nkemdiche. The Ole Miss defensive tackle has tremendous athleticism and potential negated some by off-the-field issues.
The Silver and Black reportedly got a chance to examine Nkemdiche further on Tuesday during an official visit to the team’s Alameda facility, according to NFL Network.
It’s part of a three-team swing that also includes Arizona and Baltimore.
[RELATED: Source: Free agent safety Reggie Nelson to visit Raiders]
Nkemdiche is a first-round talent who should be available when the Raiders select at No. 14 overall. Nkemdiche has had some off-field troubles, including an incident when he fell out of a hotel room window.
He didn’t help himself during his NFL Scouting Combine press conference, where he admitted to taking plays off and being lazy at times. He also said that fellow top draft prospect and Ole’ Miss teammate Larmey Tunsil was present for the hotel-room incident, a piece information given largely without prompting.
A facility visit provides teams an excellent opportunity for an extended conversation and examination of draftable players, an option extremely beneficial for players like Nkemdiche, who must answer tough questions and impress teams prior to draft day.
Some believe he’s a Top-10 talent who should be available after the first round’s opening third, but the Raiders must be convinced Nkemdiche is a relatively safe pick.
Every NFL team is allowed 30 facility visits with draft prospects, many of whom have been examined and interviewed at other stages of the pre-draft process. Bringing a player in doesn’t necessarily increase the possibility he’ll get drafted by the host team. Many players taken don’t make facility visits to the team that selects them.
