NFL Draft Profile: DJ Dale, Defensive Lineman, Alabama Crimson Tide
In this story:
#94
Pos: iDL
Ht: 6010
Wt: 302
Hand: 0968
Arm: 3278
Wing: 7858
40: 5.26
DOB: 10/30/2000
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
High School: Clay-Chalkville
Eligibility: 2023
DJ Dale
Alabama Crimson Tide
One-Liner:
Squatty, undersized nose tackle who wins the leverage battle. Lacks strength and length.
Evaluation:
Started at nose tackle since being a true freshman for the Crimson Tide. Dale plays with consistently low pads, winning the leverage battle at the point of attack. He understands his lack of length and often uses one arm to try and extend. When he catches blockers leaning, Dale has quick and violent hands to throw them. He is agile to both sides out of his stance. Bats passes at a high level by getting his hands into throwing lanes. Flashes leg drive to push the pocket. Undersized to play nose and it shows as he frequently gets driven off the ball by combo blocks. Dale lacks length, allowing blockers to play wide and box him in, making it tough to disengage in the run game. On lateral runs, he fails to stay square. His get off is average and does not threaten blockers. He is unable to get hands off of his frame as a pass rusher. Dale has questionable eyes and play recognition, failing to find ball carriers on a consistent basis. Squatty defensive tackle who wins the leverage battle. Dale flashes violent hands and leg drive to push the pocket as a nose tackle. He is undersized for the position, often being unable to anchor and disengage due to his short arms. Dale projects as a developmental defensive tackle who has worthwhile traits to develop. A lack of size, length and strength will hinder his ability to play a considerable role on a defensive line.
Grade:
7th Round
Background:
DJ Dale, from Birmingham. Alabama, started in 2019 as a freshman at nose tackle and had seventeen tackles during that season. Missed the final three games of 2019 with a knee injury. Spent the time he was out in the film room. His tackles increased in 2020 and in 2021, he was known as one of the best defensive players on the Crimson Tide defense in 2021. A four star prospect according to ESPN and 24/7, he was also the ninth best player overall in the state of Alabama. From early on in Tuscaloosa, he made an impact, and now in 2022, he will look to be a standout on the front line of the defense.
