Cardinals select Duke DE Victor Dimukeje with 210th pick of NFL Draft
May 1, 2021, 2:17 PM | Updated: 6:19 pm
Running back Deshawn McClease #33 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is tackled by defensive end Victor Dimukeje #51 of the Duke Blue Devils in the first half at Lane Stadium on September 27, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
After making a draft-day trade with the Baltimore Ravens, the Arizona Cardinals used one of their acquired picks on Duke defensive end Victor Dimukeje.
Dimukeje figures to slide into an outside linebacker role with the Cardinals.
As a senior in 2020, Dimukeje tallied 22 tackles, 8.0 of which were for losses, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 11 games. He also knocked down a pass.
For his efforts, he was named an All-ACC honorable mention last season.
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“I play smart. I know how to use my hands, win off the power rush. Set the edge in the run game. Win with power and also know when to transition to speed,” Dimukeje said. “Being an all-around smart player, I feel like that’s my biggest attribute.”
NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein compares Dimukeje to New York Jets defensive end Carl Lawson. The draft analyst highlighted the defender’s heavy and forceful hands and his durability.
Dimukeje played in at least 11 games in each of his four seasons at Duke, never missing a start (49 games). He set career highs for tackles for loss (9.5) and sacks (8.5) in 2019.
He now joins an outside linebacker group that includes Chandler Jones, Markus Golden and Dennis Gardeck.
Dimukeje said he is 6-foot-2, but that won’t prevent him from being effective despite some saying that it is on the short side for edge rushers.
“I know how to set the edge with my size; I have better leverage,” he said. “I could cover too. Just my all-around game, I feel like, is a good fit for this defense.”
