Duke Riley

Duke Riley Bio

Duke Riley (born August 9, 1994) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. Riley has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and Washington Commanders. Standing 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) and weighing around 218 lb (99 kg), he has built a career as a rotational defender and reliable special teams contributor.

Early Life and Background

Duke Riley was born on August 9, 1994, in Buras, Louisiana. He grew up in the Pelican State and attended John Curtis Christian High School in River Ridge, Louisiana. The school has a strong athletic tradition, and Riley developed his football foundation there before reaching the college level.

Riley committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) to continue his football career after high school. His path from a small Louisiana town to a top SEC program shaped his approach to the game and prepared him for the next stage of his development.

Path to American Football

Riley played at LSU from 2013 to 2016, spending his first three seasons as a backup. He became a starter for the first time in his senior year in 2016. That season, he posted 93 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. His senior campaign established him as a draft-worthy prospect.

Following the 2016 season, Riley accepted an invitation to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, joining LSU teammates Tre’Davious White, Ethan Pocic, Travin Dural, and Kendell Beckwith. He led the South squad with seven combined tackles in a 16–15 victory over the North and impressed scouts throughout the week of practices. He also received an invitation to the NFL Combine and participated at LSU’s pro day, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, he was ranked the seventh best outside linebacker by NFLDraftScout.com.

Duke Riley Career

Early Career (2013–2016)

Riley’s early college years at LSU were spent learning the linebacker position behind more experienced players. His role grew gradually, and his work in practice laid the groundwork for his senior breakout. By 2016, the coaching staff trusted him as a full-time starter on defense.

His 2016 production, combined with his performance at the Senior Bowl, positioned him as a clear NFL prospect. The Atlanta Falcons ultimately selected him in the third round with the 75th overall pick of the 2017 NFL draft.

Atlanta Falcons Era (2017–2019)

The Atlanta Falcons selected Riley in the third round (75th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft and signed him to a four-year, $3.51 million contract that included a signing bonus of $889,752. He entered a linebacker room that included former LSU teammate Deion Jones, whom Riley looked up to as a role model, and competed for the starting weakside linebacker job during training camp.

Riley earned his first career start in the Falcons’ season-opener against the Chicago Bears and recorded six combined tackles in a 24–17 victory. In October 2017, he tore his meniscus against the New England Patriots and missed four games before finishing his rookie year with 30 combined tackles in 12 games and six starts. The Falcons reached the playoffs that season, and Riley made his postseason debut in the NFC Wild Card Round win over the Los Angeles Rams.

His 2018 campaign proved more difficult, as Foyesade Oluokun surpassed him on the depth chart and eventually took over the starting role midway through the year. Riley finished 2018 with 60 combined tackles and two pass deflections in 16 games and ten starts. On September 30, 2019, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for safety Johnathan Cyprien and a swap of late-round picks.

Philadelphia Eagles Era (2019–2020)

Riley joined the Eagles midseason in 2019 and quickly carved out a role on special teams. On January 2, 2020, he was named special teams captain for the Eagles’ Wild Card matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. His willingness to play in the third phase of the game became a defining part of his profile.

In 2020, Riley opened the season as a rotational linebacker and produced one of his strongest games against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, when he led the team with 13 tackles before leaving the game after forcing a fumble on tight end Eric Ebron. Later in the year, against the New Orleans Saints in Week 14, he recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Taysom Hill during a 24–21 win. He finished the 2020 season with 55 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception across 13 games and eight starts before being placed on injured reserve on January 1, 2021.

Miami Dolphins Era (2021–2024)

Riley signed with the Miami Dolphins on March 22, 2021, and settled into a role focused on special teams and rotational linebacker duty. In his first Dolphins season, he appeared in 16 games with three starts and recorded 26 tackles.

On March 15, 2022, Riley signed a one-year contract extension with the Dolphins and responded with 45 tackles, one sack, and two passes defensed in 17 games with two starts. On March 16, 2023, he signed a two-year contract extension to remain in Miami. Through the 2024 season, his career NFL totals stood at 283 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, and 6 pass deflections.

Washington Commanders Era (2025)

Riley signed with the Washington Commanders on August 11, 2025. He was released by the team on August 26, 2025, ending a brief stint in Washington.

Driving Style and Strengths

Riley is known for his athleticism, quick instincts, and range as a linebacker. He diagnoses plays quickly, attacks downhill against the run, and has shown reliable tackling technique throughout his career. His ability to contribute on special teams has extended his longevity in the league and made him a dependable reserve defender.

Notable Events and Milestones

Among Riley’s career highlights, his first career interception off Taysom Hill during the Eagles’ 24–21 win over the New Orleans Saints in 2020 stands out, along with his Senior Bowl MVP-caliber performance that helped elevate his draft stock. He also recorded a season-high 13 combined tackles against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020 and posted 93 tackles in his senior season at LSU.

Duke Riley Career Wins

Duke Riley has not been recognized as a featured statistical leader in major categories, and individual game-win totals across his career are not consistently documented in the available sources. His value has been measured more through steady tackling production, special teams play, and longevity across multiple franchises.

NFL Highlights

Riley’s most notable on-field moments include his first career start against the Chicago Bears in 2017, his standout performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020, and his first career interception against the New Orleans Saints later that same season. He has also appeared in postseason play with the Atlanta Falcons during the 2017 season.

Other Performances

Beyond the NFL, Riley impressed scouts with his performance at the 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, cementing his status as a third-round selection. His senior year at LSU in 2016, where he was named team MVP, remains his most decorated collegiate achievement.

Duke Riley Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Public information about Duke Riley’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Buras, Louisiana, and rose through local football ranks before attending John Curtis Christian High School. Details about his parents and siblings are not widely documented.

Personal Life

Duke Riley has kept his personal life largely private, and information about a spouse, partner, or children is not publicly available in verified sources. His residence and marital status are not documented in the available references.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 offseason brought several transitions for Duke Riley. He signed with the Miami Dolphins in March 2025, continuing the two-year extension he had previously agreed to in 2023. His role in Miami was expected to remain centered on special teams and rotational linebacker duty.

On August 11, 2025, Riley signed with the Washington Commanders, signaling a possible fresh opportunity late in his career. However, his time in Washington proved short, as the Commanders released him on August 26, 2025. The development leaves his next career stop open heading into the latter part of 2025.

Looking ahead, Riley’s experience as a tackling linebacker and dependable special teams player should keep him in demand for clubs seeking veteran depth. Whether through another signing later in 2025 or beyond, his path forward will likely continue to lean on the special teams reputation and locker-room presence he has built since 2017.