Connect with us

Dallas Cowboys

NFL Draft Review: Golston gives size, length to remolded defense

Photo via Bely Medved/Freelancer

NFL Draft Review: Golston gives size, length to remolded defense

After months of speculation and mock drafts, another NFL draft has come and gone. The Dallas Cowboys came into the draft with 10 draft picks and left with 11 new additions to this year’s team.

A first-round trade with the Philadelphia Eagles netted them the 12th overall pick (Micah Parsons) and an extra third-round pick. Dallas used their first three picks to address linebacker, cornerback and defensive tackle.

They stuck with the trend of remolding their defensive unit with their fourth pick of the draft.

Round 3, Pick 84: Chauncey Golston, DE

School: Iowa | Grade: C

  • Height: 6’5” | Weight: 269 lbs.
  • Bench Press: 22 | Arm Lenght: 34 ¾ | Wing Span: 84 ¼

“A two-year starter at Iowa, Golston was the left defensive end in defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s four-man front, reducing inside in pass rush situations. Lightly-recruited out of high school, he out-worked higher recruits, became a captain and posted steady production with at least 8.5 tackles for loss each of the last three seasons. While his speed is average, Golson plays downhill with physical hands and excellent play recognition, competing with tone-setting effort. His tall pad level and tight hips work against him and he needs to better stack and control blocks instead of just punching. Overall, Golston doesn’t have desirable bend or explosive traits, but he is long, strong and doesn’t quit working to the ball. He projects as a high-intangible NFL role player who can line up inside and outside.” – Dane Brugler

The theme of this draft boiled down to size and length. Only three defensive ends listed in Dane Brugler’s top-20 edge rushers has longer arms and wing span. Golston has got the size, length and strength to set the edge.

He uses his wing span to help thrusts his long arms into blockers to create movement. In eight games last year he recorded 45 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Golston presents a rotational piece for Dallas to use alongside current Cowboys DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory, Tarell Basham, Brent Urban, Dorance Armstrong and Bradlee Anae.

Golston won’t be the “wardaddy” you look for in a defensive end, but his ability to contribute in the run game and occasional pass rush situations gives him value heading into a crowded defensive end room.

Full 2021 Draft Class:

  1. Round 1, pick 12 (from PHI) – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
  2. Round 2, pick 44 – Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
  3. Round 3, pick 75 – Osa Odighizuwa, DT, UCLA
  4. Round 3, pick 84 – Chauncey Golston, DE, Iowa
  5. Round 3, pick 99 – Nahshon Wright, CB, Oregon State
  6. Round 4, pick 115 – Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
  7. Round 4, pick 138 – Josh Ball, OT, Marshall
  8. Round 5, pick 179 – Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford
  9. Round 6, pick 192 – Quinton Bohanna, DT, Kentucky
  10. Round 6, pick 227 – Israel Mukuamu, CB, South Carolina
  11. Round 7, pick 238 – Matt Farniok, G, Nebraska

Staff Writer covering the Dallas Cowboys | Madden Legend | SFA Alum | Fascinated by Success

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Recent Posts