PROSPECT SUMMARY - VICTOR DIMUKEJE

Duke defensive end Victor Dimukeje quietly had a productive career as a four-year starter, where he racked up 32 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He’s a strong, physical, and technically-refined defender that the Blue Devils deployed in a variety of ways. At the next level, Dimukeje’s best fit comes as a base end in a 4-3 defense that also gets some chances to rush from interior alignments. Dimukeje complements his power and technique with outstanding urgency and a sufficient athletic profile. While he is a very steady player with no glaring deficiencies, he isn’t dominant in any particular area and his physical traits are the baseline for the position. Dimukeje should at least be a valuable rotational end, but his consistency and ability to produce on every down could lead to a starting role in the NFL.

Ideal Role: Developmental starter as a 4-3 defensive end that has appeal on every down with some ability to situationally rush interior gaps.

Scheme Fit: 4-3 base end.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Joe Marino

Games watched: North Carolina (2019), Wake Forest (2019), Pittsburgh (2019), Virginia (2019), Boston College (2020), Notre Dame (2020), Miami (2020)

Best Game Studied: Boston College (2020)

Worst Game Studied: Notre Dame (2020)

First-Step Explosiveness: Dimukeje has quick and fluid get-off. On long and late downs, he uncoils and presses hard up the arc. He doesn’t have an elite first step, but it’s sufficient and clean. He does well with his initial footwork to set up his rush plan and draw blockers out of their set.

Flexibility: Dimukeje has the ability to reduce his upper half and rush with tilt, but he isn’t super bendy. He does have sufficient ankle flexion where he can get his foot to catch outside his frame to help corner. There is some segmentation when he has to turn a steep angle.

Hand Counters: Dimukeje is a hard-charging pass rusher whose repertoire stems from his ability to convert speed to power. He loves to hit a one-arm stab and he flashes a strong inside move that he unleashes after threatening the outside hip and bull rush a few times. I’ve seen him get home a few times with a dip and rip. With that said, he does have room to grow in terms of consistency with secondary rush moves and deploying counters.

Length: Dimukeje has sufficient length but he won’t be confused for having vines for arms. He does play with consistent extension and he’s lethal when he wins with first contact. For the most part, Dimukeje is effective at using his length to keep his frame clean and poised to unhinge.

Hand Power: Dimukeje has some impressive pop in his hands and he controls reps when he establishes first contact. His best moments as a pass rusher come when he can fit his stab and work off it. When he’s got his hands fit and arms extended, he is dominant against the run and can even defend multiple gaps.

Run Defending: Dimukeje is a smart processor against the run and he identifies blocking schemes quickly with correct responses. His hands are always busy and he does well to maintain leverage and he has the power needed to squeeze gaps. He has some really impressive reps where he stacks blocks, extends, and disengages from both a three-point stance and stand-up position.

Effort: Dimukeje is an urgent player who keeps his motor running hot. He makes his share of plays with secondary effort and competing in pursuit. Even when games appeared to be out of hand for Duke, his energy was consistent.

Football IQ: I appreciate Dimukeje’s experience and how he developed each year at Duke. He’s technically-refined and capable of defending the run and getting after the quarterback. He appears to have good situational awareness.

Lateral Mobility: Dimukeje has sufficient lateral mobility but he does work through some tightness in his frame. He makes up for anything he lacks in effort. He isn’t a candidate for regular opportunities to play in space.

Versatility: Duke used Dimukeje in a two-point and three-point stance in even and odd fronts. We’ve seen him play 5-technique and rush from interior gaps. His best role in the NFL is as a 4-3 base end that can rush the passer and defend the run.

Prospect Comparison: Lawrence Sidbury (2009 NFL Draft, Atlanta Falcons)