Duke in the National Football League

After all was said and accomplished, 4 Blue Devils have been taken within the 2021 NFL Draft and three extra have been signed as undrafted free agents. Now, the Blue Zone takes a take a glance at the place they ended up and what the future may maintain.

Chris Rumph II, OLB/DE, Los Angeles Chargers

Rumph was the primary Blue Devil to come off the board this weekend, because the Los Angeles Chargers selected the savvy pass rusher with their first Day Three decide. Interestingly, but comparatively unsurprisingly, Rumph was listed as an out of doors linebacker quite than defensive end, the position at which he excelled in a Duke uniform. All signs within the draft course of foreshadowed this chance, as Rumph’s lack of size might make him a greater match as an off-ball player within the second stage. New defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill’s traditional protection solely reaffirms this, but there’s certainly room for the Chargers to get artistic with a talented disruptor like Rumph, especially with Joey Bosa drawing the eye of opposing offenses.

By all accounts, the Chargers had a successful draft: the front office addressed a few obtrusive wants early on and crammed within the gaps in later rounds. Pass rush wasn’t necessarily a necessity per se, but the line of defense was nothing special in 2020, and Rumph is talented sufficient to make a distinction there from the very begin.

Michael Carter II, S, New York Jets

In one of the more strange tales of the draft, New York snagged not one however two Michael Carters, one from all sides of the Tobacco Road rivalry. The second was the fifth round choice of Duke defensive back Michael Carter II. Moving forward, it appears like Carter may make use of his blazing speed—he posted a four.30 40-yd dash time on Pro Day—to make up for a slightly undersized body and earn a spot on the within within the NFL. He will have his work reduce out for him, but he will little question see plenty of opportunities as a part of a Jets organization within the midst of a rebuild.

Noah Gray, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

That’s what I’m talking about! If Gray touchdown with the two-time defending AFC Champions after getting taken with their first fifth-round pick doesn’t excite you, it should: he’ll get to work behind one of many game’s very best in Travis Kelce, and his blocking, a creating ability, won’t be uncovered early on within head coach Andy Reid’s system. If nothing else, it is an intriguing touchdown spot for Duke’s all-time chief in receptions at the tight end place, and it’s especially exciting for Duke followers who will get to see a longtime favorite of theirs work with Patrick Mahomes, one of the best passers in the league, while contributing to a title contender.

Victor Dimukeje, DE, Arizona Cardinals

It took a little longer than expected, however Dimukeje was taken in the sixth spherical by the Cardinals Sunday. Like Rumph, his dimension muddies the waters as to his actual place, however his plain power means that he may at least see reps as a rotational edge rusher, opportunity allowing. Arizona is extra gifted on defense than their underlying metrics would seem to point, so the former four-year man might wrestle to seek out the sector in 12 months one. On the bright facet, Dimukeje shall be surrounded by a protection and group on the rise, and, in time, he ought to get the opportunities he must succeed.
Undrafted Blue Devils find properties throughout the NFL
A trio of undrafted Blue Devils all found properties, too: running again Deon Jackson with the Indianapolis Colts, cornerback Mark Gilbert with the Pittsburgh Steelers and offensive tackle Devery Hamilton with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jackson seemed a attainable seventh rounder, but running backs fell out of favor in the later rounds, and Duke’s sixth-ranked rusher in program historical past found himself undrafted. Still, Jackson—who certainly has the size and speed to succeed—will get an opportunity in Indianapolis.

Gilbert was probably going the undrafted route all along because of his long and troublesome harm history, so the 2017 first staff All-ACC choice will take this opportunity in stride. He is each quick enough and technical enough to make it work with the Steelers, if his physique holds up.

Hamilton, who spent his graduate yr of eligibility in Durham after an oft-injured tenure at Stanford, was also a draft longshot, however Las Vegas is a logical vacation spot for the versatile lineman. The Raiders’ entrance 5 acquired quite the makeover this offseason, making Hamilton’s capacity to play throughout the line all of the more valuable.