A Trio of Blue Devils Hear Their Names Called in the 2023 NFL Draft

Last weekend, the 2023 NFL Draft took place in Detroit, and for three former Duke Blue Devils, it was a moment of great pride and accomplishment as they heard their names called by NFL teams. The Blue Zone is here to recap the selections and also highlight some of the undrafted Duke players who were picked up by teams after the draft.

The Drafted Blue Devils

1. Jalon Calhoun, Wide Receiver**: Calhoun was selected in the 5th round (165th overall) by the New Orleans Saints. Throughout his college career, he consistently impressed with his speed and agility on the field, finishing with 159 receptions for 2,061 yards and 13 touchdowns.

2. Deuce Watts, Defensive Back**: Watts was chosen in the 6th round (191st overall) by the Los Angeles Rams. He was a versatile defensive back for Duke, playing both cornerback and safety during his time with the Blue Devils. His ability to adapt to different positions and make crucial plays on the field made him an attractive pick for the Rams.

3. Dorian Mausi, Linebacker**: Mausi was picked in the 7th round (239th overall) by the Seattle Seahawks. He was a productive linebacker for Duke, recording 218 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks over his college career. His tenacity and physicality on the field made him a valuable addition to the Seahawks’ roster.

Undrafted Free Agent Signings

In addition to the three players drafted, several other former Duke Blue Devils were signed as undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the NFL Draft:

1. Jordan Waters, Defensive Lineman**: Signed with the New York Giants
2. Jaylen Stinson, Defensive Back**: Signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. aylen Pickett, Wide Receiver**: Signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers

These undrafted players will now have the opportunity to compete for roster spots and make an impact at the professional level.

Graham Barton, an offensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was selected by the team in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

During his tenure as a Blue Devil, Graham Barton established himself as the top offensive line prospect for the team in almost ten years. Hailing from Brentwood, Tennessee, Barton excelled as a left tackle, earning First Team All-ACC honors in both 2022 and 2023. Despite starting as a center in his freshman year, his exceptional performance and impressive pro day led to his selection as the 26th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2024 NFL Draft. This marked Duke’s first first-round pick since 2019, when quarterback Daniel Jones was chosen sixth overall by the New York Giants.

Barton’s arrival addresses an immediate need for the Buccaneers, who have been seeking to fill the center position following the retirement of long-time starter Ryan Jensen after the 2023 season. With Tampa Bay aiming for their fourth consecutive NFC South title after a surprising 9-8 season and a wild-card victory in 2023, Barton is expected to safeguard quarterback Baker Mayfield and bolster a run game that ranked last in yards per carry. In essence, the Buccaneers have acquired a versatile and promising prospect in Barton, poised to make an immediate impact on the team.

DeWayne Carter, a defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills.

## DeWayne Carter: The Heart and Soul of Duke’s Defense Joins the Buffalo Bills

For nearly his entire collegiate career at Duke, defensive tackle DeWayne Carter embodied the heart and soul of the Blue Devils’ defense, which ranked among the top units in Division I football by his redshirt senior season in 2023. The Pickerington, Ohio native, affectionately known as “Mr. Duke,” earned three consecutive All-ACC team selections, finishing his college career with an impressive stat line of 12 sacks, 126 tackles, and seven forced fumbles.

This outstanding performance on the field led to Carter being drafted 95th overall in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have recognized the importance of a strong interior defensive line, and Carter’s arrival provides valuable depth in that area.

While Carter may not immediately earn a starting role, with DaQuan Jones and Ed Oliver ahead of him on the depth chart, he is expected to receive quality rotational snaps. The Bills understand the significance of a dominant interior defensive line, as evidenced by their 2022 playoff match against the Cincinnati Bengals, where the absence of Jones led to 172 rushing yards allowed in a devastating loss.

With his proven track record of excellence at Duke, DeWayne Carter is poised to make an impact for the Buffalo Bills, helping to shore up their defensive line for many seasons to come. His combination of talent, tenacity, and leadership will be a valuable asset as the Bills continue their pursuit of success in the NFL.

Jacob Monk, an offensive lineman, was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 5th round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

 Jacob Monk: The Versatile OL Joins the Green Bay Packers

Following the selection of Jacob Monk by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Packers superfan Tom Grossi exclaimed, “Versatility wins again.” Monk’s versatility indeed played a significant role in his selection, as he played multiple positions during his collegiate career at Duke, including guard, tackle, and center.

As a standout player, Monk earned a Second Team All-ACC nod at the guard position, and alongside Graham Barton, he led an offensive line that ranked among the best in the country. The Clayton, North Carolina native’s exceptional pass protection skills will likely be utilized to safeguard quarterback Jordan Love, who had a remarkable first season as a starter in 2023, completing an impressive number of passes while minimizing sacks.

Monk’s selection marked the final pick from Duke in the 2024 NFL Draft, and it was the first time the Blue Devils saw a player selected every day since the three-round format was introduced in 2010.

 Undrafted Duke Players Sign with NFL Teams

While several former Duke Blue Devils were selected during the 2024 NFL Draft, a number of other players from the program were signed as undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the draft.

These undrafted players now have the opportunity to compete for roster spots and make an impact at the professional level:

Undrafted Free Agent Signings

1. Jordan Waters, Defensive Lineman**: Signed with the New York Giants
2. Jaylen Stinson, Defensive Back**: Signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Jaylen Pickett, Wide Receiver**: Signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers

These undrafted Duke players will look to use this chance to prove their worth and earn a spot on their respective NFL teams. Despite not being selected in the draft, they have demonstrated the talent and potential to compete at the highest level, and their journeys to the NFL will be ones to follow closely.

Undrafted Blue Devils Find NFL Homes

While the 2024 NFL Draft saw only three Duke Blue Devils selected, several former players from the program were able to secure opportunities with NFL teams as undrafted free agents. These players will now have the chance to compete for roster spots and make an impact at the professional level.

Joining the Jets Secondary

Cornerback Al Blades Jr. signed with the New York Jets, where he will join fellow former Blue Devil Michael Carter II in the secondary. Blades Jr. will look to use his experience and skills to contribute to the Jets’ defensive efforts.

 Bolstering the Ravens’ Defensive Line

Defensive tackle Ja’Mion Franklin signed with the Baltimore Ravens, bringing his talents to their defensive line. Franklin will have the opportunity to showcase his abilities and earn a spot on the Ravens’ roster.

 Calhoun Heads to Detroit

Perhaps the most notable undrafted free agent signing from Duke was that of wide receiver and return specialist Jalon Calhoun, who signed with the Detroit Lions. Calhoun, who earned a Third Team All-ACC selection in 2022, ranks fourth all-time for the Blue Devils in receiving yards.

While Calhoun may have to fight for a roster spot in a crowded wide receiver room in Detroit, his potential impact on special teams could be significant. The Greenville, South Carolina native will look to contribute to a Lions team that is aiming to contend for the Super Bowl this season.

These undrafted Blue Devils have earned the chance to prove themselves at the next level, and their journeys will be ones to follow closely as they strive to make their mark in the NFL.