Rookie edge-rusher hopes to excel with the Arizona Cardinals

In the weeks leading up to last month’s NFL Draft, talk around the league was that the Arizona Cardinals may have been coveting an edge-rusher. There were even rumors circulating that general manager Steve Keim could look to address the position with the club’s 16th-overall selection. Ultimately, the temptation to do that was resisted, but the front office did finally land a sack specialist during the draft’s sixth round.

Victor Dimukeje, an outside linebacker out of Duke University, went to Arizona with the 210th-overall choice. The 6’3, 265 pounder, who began his college career back in 2017, spent four solid campaigns with the Blue Devils. Will the production that Dimukeje enjoyed at the school carry over to the Cardinals defensive unit?

Last fall, Dimukeje racked up 39 tackles (8 for a loss), 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 11 appearances for Duke. During his junior year in 2019, the Baltimore native registered 41 tackles (9.5 for a loss) and 8.5 sacks in another 11 matchups for the Blue Devils. During his first two seasons as a collegiate athlete, Dimukeje totaled 81 tackles (14.5 for a loss), 5.5 sacks and an interception in 26 contests for the university.

Dimukeje is joining a group of Cards sack artists that are getting a bit long in the tooth. Chandler Jones, the contingent’s superstar, is now 31 years of age. Markus Golden, the starter on the opposite side of Jones, has turned 30, while backup Devon Kennard will be 30 in June.

Another Arizona edge-rusher, Dennis Gardeck, suffered a torn ACL during a win over the Philadelphia Eagles in December of 2020. Dimukeje could eat up some of the 26-year old’s playing time, since Gardeck is expected to start the campaign on the NFL’s physically-unable-to-perform list (PUP).

There’s a fairly decent possibility that Dimukeje could see action in his first year as a member of the Cardinals organization. The 21-year old is a bit raw, but his tremendous skill-set is undeniable. The Redbirds will find out soon enough if Dimukeje can get it done at the pro level.