Former Alabama defensive lineman DJ Dale signs UDFA deal after 2023 NFL Draft
Having a lengthy list of drafted defensive linemen at Alabama, DJ Dale is next up. Dale signed as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills following the 2023 NFL Draft, according to The Draft Network.
Dale spent four seasons with Alabama, being a quality starter throughout his time. He was an important part of the defensive success under head coach Nick Saban, constantly stuffing the stat sheet. In 48 career appearances, Dale recorded 74 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, and recovered three fumbles.
When Dale was a true freshman, he earned a starting job coming out of fall camp. Anybody who is able to make an impact early in their career under Saban usually has the ability to learn quickly in a high-pressure environment.
Dale played high school football at Pinson (AL) Clay-Chalkville, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 231 overall recruit in the 2019 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about DJ Dale
After the NFL Combine, NFL.com scout Lance Zierlein gave his evaluation of Dale. He compared the Alabama defensive lineman to Ian Williams, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers.
According to Zierlein, Dale is able to use his hands well while having “nimble” feet. However, since there is not a ton of size there and not an overwhelming ability to help in the pass game, teams were not willing to select Dale until later in the NFL Draft.
“Undersized nose tackle with good play strength and technique to make up for a lack of desired mass and length,” Zierlein said. “Dale was a three-year starter for a talent-rich defense, using nimble feet and sudden hands to keep from being engulfed by bigger bodies.
“He can set edges or attack gaps but matchups against bigger NFL interior defenders will be much more challenging. A lack of desired size and pass rush might put a ceiling on his draft stock, but he should offer immediate rotational help as a middle-rounder.”
One thing Dale does have going for him is experience. Thanks to playing against SEC talent on a weekly basis, the transition to the NFL should be a rather quick one after a full rookie offseason.