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Dante Stills

Dante Stills Player Profile

Summary

  • Drafted: Round 6, 213th overall (2023) by the Arizona Cardinals. West Virginia University Athletics

  • College: West Virginia.

  • Key statistics / production: Over his WVU career, Stills totaled ~52.5 tackles for loss and 23.5 sacks. SI In the NFL (as of 2025), he has recorded 8.0 sacks. Pro Football Reference

  • Accolades: First‑team All-Big 12 (2022).

  • Character / Profile: Dante comes from a football lineage — his father Gary Stills played in the NFL, and his brother Darius also starred at WVU. SI He’s known for high motor, tenacity, and a mature mindset about needing to earn his spot in the NFL. West Virginia University Athletics

Strengths

  • Strong hand usage and technique — He’s effective with hands: swims, rips, counters, and uses technique to disengage from blockers. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Good length / frame — At 6’4” with long arms, he can leverage against OL to disrupt in the gap. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Explosive first step — Quick off the snap, allowing him to penetrate into the backfield and make plays in the run game. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Motor and effort — Persistent on every down, shows a strong work ethic and pursues plays with energy. PFSN

  • Run-disruption ability — Proven tackle-for-loss production in college; a legitimate threat to stop runs in the backfield. West Virginia University Athletics

  • Versatile alignment — Can play inside or more toward the edge; his agility and change-of-direction make him a multi-front piece. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Instincts / awareness — Diagnoses plays well, shows good play recognition, and doesn’t waste movements. PFSN

Weaknesses

  • Limited pass-rush arsenal — While technically solid, he lacks a wide variety of go-to pass-rush moves; needs to develop more counter moves. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Straight-line athleticism — Critiques note average straight-line speed and less-than-elite closing burst in pursuit. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Strength / bulk concerns — Not the thickest defensive tackle; may struggle against very powerful interior linemen or double teams. 49ers Webzone

  • Consistency — Some scouts note that his impact can be sporadic; he doesn’t always sustain pressure or make splash plays every game. PFSN

  • Technique refinement needed — Needs to refine his pass-rush technique, especially when initial burst is disrupted; he can be outmaneuvered. PFSN

  • Athletic testing limitations — At the Combine, his 40 time (4.85) and agility metrics were solid but not elite for a pass-rushing DL. NFL Draft Buzz

Fit & Outlook

Dante Stills projects as a high-upside rotational defensive lineman in the NFL who could develop into a three-down contributor. His best fit is likely in a defense that values active, penetrating interior linemen — particularly in schemes that can deploy him as a one-gap rusher or in twisting fronts where his hand skills and burst can be maximized. For the Arizona Cardinals, Stills has the potential to grow into a significant role over time, especially if he continues to add strength and refine his pass-rush counter moves. While he may not immediately be a star, his combination of motor, technique, and natural talent gives him a path to be a disruptive piece in the defensive front.