After the highest cornerbacks have been taken within the 2021 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys traded again two spots and chosen star edge rusher Micah Parsons. It should ceaselessly be remembered because the backup plan that labored out fairly favorably for the Cowboys. Don’t get us fallacious, Patrick Surtain II (chosen one spot earlier than the Cowboys have been up) would have been an excellent choose. He’s had two Professional Bowl seasons and his seven profession interceptions are simply two shy of what Daron Bland had final yr. PS2 is nice, however that Parsons fella? Properly, let’s simply say we’re all proud of how that turned out.
Not solely did the Cowboys land one of the best participant in the complete draft, however in addition they scored a third-round choose (84th general) from the Philadelphia Eagles in change for permitting them to maneuver up. Dallas used that choose to pick Iowa defensive lineman Chauncey Golston.
Over his first three years within the league, Golston has performed in 47 (of a potential 51) video games. He’s solely began three of them as he’s largely served as a down-the-roster rotational participant. His defensive snap counts are 41% (2021), 23% (2022), and 29% (2023). He has a complete of 79 tackles and three.5 sacks.
Popping out of faculty he was considered as a tweener as he doesn’t have the get-off to be an influence edge rusher, nor does he have the power to anchor down and deal with the pushback within the center. For that motive, Golston was utilized in a wide range of methods at Iowa, so it shouldn’t be a lot of a shock to see extra of the identical on the professional stage. Dan Quinn used him at each spots as he basically break up his time on the DE and DT positions. Golston has not been capable of finding his area of interest within the Cowboys’ protection, however that’s okay. The group values versatility and Golston contributes any method he can.
While you watch his movie, he could appear unimpressive. There’s no freaky athleticism or overpowering reps to get enthusiastic about. Golston is a blue-collar employee who performs to his strengths. His best talent set is utilizing his nice size to shed blockers. Whereas he’s not explosive or notably robust, these lengthy arms assist him swim by opponents. Golston can also be excellent at understanding the place he must go. He has a very good sense of the place the play goes and can assault in the best spots. This has allowed him to be a stable contributor wherever he performs.
Golston additionally has worth on particular groups as he’s performed in roughly a 3rd of the snaps within the kicking sport. He’s discovered the top zone a few occasions as far as he was the recipient of a present fumble restoration on a blocked punt that landed proper in his arms for a landing his rookie season. And final yr, he scored a two-point conversion on a faux additional level the place punter/holder Bryan Anger threw him the ball.
He now enters the final yr of his rookie deal. No one is giving him a lot thought as our eyes are centered round extra upside gamers like Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland on the sting or Osa Odighizuwa and Viliami Fehoko alongside the inside. However don’t fully neglect about Golston. Earlier than, he was buried on the depth chart, however gamers like Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler are gone. And with new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer calling the pictures, who’s to say that Golston doesn’t lastly discover a residence on the line of defense?
There’s lots nonetheless to be decided with how this might play out, however a coach-friendly, hard-working, versatile participant like Golston may very well be a long-term fixture on this Cowboys line of defense. With a bigger position and a few splash performs sprinkled in right here and there, he might find yourself being a kind of low-cost re-signings the Cowboys make subsequent offseason to safe some stable depth. With some anticipated adjustments each in teaching and from vacated reps, there may very well be some high quality alternatives for Golston in 2024.
