One Late-Round Defensive Lineman Lions Should Target in 2023 NFL Draft

Alabama's DJ Dale is late-round defensive lineman Lions should target in 2023 NFL Draft.

The Lions opened up this offseason with a bang. During the first two weeks of free agency, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes acquired multiple impact players.

Among the variety of transactions he made were the signings of defensive backs Cam Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. 

Holmes & Co. still have holes to fill along the defensive side of the ball, though, and specifically along the interior of the defensive line. 

If the front office chooses to wait until the later rounds of this April's NFL Draft to fill the void or uses a late-round pick to select an additional D-lineman, Alabama's DJ Dale would be a great target.

Dale, who checks in at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, played all four years of his college career for the Crimson Tide. As his time at Alabama progressed, he became known for a quick first step and for playing with a high-end motor.

Additionally, his strong frame frequently allowed him to maintain the point of attack against the run and beat offensive linemen in one-on-one blocking situations.

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman DJ Dale / Gary Cosby Jr., USA TODAY Sports

In 48 career games with the Crimson Tide, Dale amassed 74 total tackles, including 11.5 for loss, as well as 5.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries. 

As his NFL Draft Bible profile reads, "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."

Presently, Dale also isn't very skilled at getting after the quarterback. It's one of the variety of skills that the Birmingham, Ala., native will need to develop at the next level. 

Surely, Dale isn't a finished product. However, if Holmes & Co. could grab the Crimson Tide defensive lineman with one of their two sixth-round picks (pick No. 183 or 194), Dale would be a worthwhile investment.