CJ Dippre, TE Alabama: 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Dippre was a three-star recruit from Lakeland Jr. Sr. High School in Jermyn, Pa. in the class of 2021
CJ Dippre transferred to Alabama after a breakout season at Maryland. The former high school quarterback projects as a developmental depth in-line tight end who will go on day three of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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CJ Dippre, TE Alabama: 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Classification: Junior tight end from Scranton, Pa.
Background: Dippre was a three-star recruit from Lakeland Jr. Sr. High School in Jermyn, Pa. in the class of 2021. He was the No. 893 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 869 for On3.com. Dippre was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 75 grade out of 100. He transferred from Maryland to Alabama ahead of the 2023 season. Dippre played quarterback and tight end in high school. He amassed 2,181 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 777 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, and 20 receptions for 297 yards and five scores across his high school career. Dippre also tried his hand at punting in 2020 and was a regular contributor on defense. He earned Lackawanna Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors twice. Dippre also set the school record in discus with a 171-foot throw. He took third place in PIAA "AA" Discus at the Pennsylvania Track and Field Championships. Dippre played basketball early in his time at Lakeland.
Injuries & Off-Field: Dealt with a knee injury in the spring of 2023
Awards: N/A
Pros: Special teams experience on the kick return, punt coverage, and field goal units, room to continue adding mass to his frame, rarely drops the football, works overtime to get open on extended plays, sits in holes in zone coverage, smooth open field speed, long strides to eat up space, hurdles defenders, steps out of arm tackles, difficult for defensive backs to bring down alone, held his ground in pass pro when he clamped down, stonewalled Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer and Javontae Jean-Baptiste in pass pro (2022), holds his position but doesn’t reset the line as a run blocker
Cons: Fumbled twice in 2022, arm length is good but not great, lacks impressive top speed, acceleration and speed off the line, release package, limited downfield route running, route tree must expand, needs to show more urgency as a route runner, routes are rounded, needs to sink hips more during cuts, doesn’t generate much separation against defensive backs, doesn’t uncover quickly enough, slow and fools nobody at the top of his stem, never threatened Ohio State’s defensive backs (2022), must be more physical and imposing at the catch point, not shifty or elusive, leverage as a blocker, leans forward in pass pro and becomes unbalanced, punch timing and stiffness in pass pro, blocking footwork gets sloppy or stagnant, allows pass rushers to turn the corner atop the arc, defensive ends are too powerful for him, struggles to mirror defenders and land second level blocks, looks lost pulling for blocks, doesn’t displace defenders as a run blocker
Overview: Dippre has special teams experience on the kick return, punt coverage, and field goal units. He spent most of his time in 2022 lining up as an in-line tight end, never taking more than half a dozen snaps in the slot in a single game. He also took a few snaps at H-back. Dippre has room to continue adding mass to his frame. He works overtime to get open on extended plays and finds holes in zone coverage. Dippre uses his long strides to eat up space quickly after the catch. He frequently hurdles defenders and has the contact balance to step out of arm tackles. It's difficult for defensive backs to tackle the Pennsylvania native one-on-one. Dippre holds his own in pass protection when he clamps down on defenders and gets into their pads. He stonewalled Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer and Javontae Jean-Baptiste in pass protection in 2022. Dippre holds his position but doesn’t generate displacement as a run blocker. His leverage and pad level are poor. He leans forward in pass protection and becomes unbalanced. Dippre’s punch timing and effectiveness need work. His footwork gets sloppy and stagnant, allowing defenders to turn the corner. The former three-star recruit lacks the anchor to stop defensive ends. He looks lost pulling in the run game and struggles to mirror defenders to land blocks at the second level. The Terrapins believed it was worthwhile to scheme Dippre touches, but his lack of elusiveness and limited top speed prevent him from being an imposing threat after the catch. Dippre’s acceleration and speed off the line and release package are uninspiring. He ran a limited route tree at Maryland, barely ever pushing into the deep portion of the field. Dippre’s routes are rounded and don’t help him separate from defenders. He needs to sink his hips more during cuts and show more urgency working up his stem. The transfer doesn’t uncover quickly. He is slow at the top of his stem and doesn’t come close to fooling defenders about his intentions. Dippre’s route running and athletic profile prevent him from threatening linebackers or defensive backs in man coverage. He should be more physical and imposing at the catch point.
Overall, Dippre shows flashes of proper blocking technique and offers some upside after the catch, but he lacks the athleticism to generate consistent separation as a route runner. Dippre projects as a developmental depth in-line tight end. He could play a larger role in the slot if he sees his speed increase.
Role & Scheme Fit: Developmental in-line tight end
Round Projection: Sixth Round
Size: 6'5", 257 lbs. (Unofficial)
Submitted: 06-09-23