Like many teams around the league, the Cowboys sent a strong message in free agency. However, they did not add a large number of players or keep most of their own players. What is clear for the Cowboys is that they are willing to give opportunities to the young players on the team.
There are a number of players on this roster who are still on their rookie contracts but have yet to have a breakout season. Maybe this year too? There's only hope for the Cowboys, especially considering they only signed one player in free agency (Eric Kendricks) and only have six picks in the NFL Draft later this month.
Therefore, the Cowboys will have to rely on some past draft and free agent signings to fill out this roster.
Today we continue our series with defensive end Chauncey Golston.
- name: Chauncey Gholston
- position: defense line
- experience: Fourth Year
- Games played/started: 47/3
- Remaining years of contract: 1
- how to get: 3rd Round pick, 2021 (Iowa State)
- Key statistics: He appeared in 47 of the 51 games he was available to play in his first three seasons.
past: Third-round picks don't usually get a lot of attention, but it can happen, especially when there are three in the same class. Golston was one of three third-round prospects in 2021, along with Osa Odighizuwa and Nashon Wright. Odighizuwa was the most visible of that group, but Golston was a contributor in his own right in his first three seasons. In some cases, positional flex can be good, allowing players to play multiple spots, helping players get more playing time. This can sometimes be a challenge for a player's development, as they are constantly moving to different spots on the field and cannot play one position with precision and perfection. For Golston, he played that “tweener” role, playing defensive end but also sliding inside to make tackles.
the current: With no official practices scheduled, the Cowboys have not shown exactly how they will line up in Mike Zimmer's new defensive scheme. So it's not easy to pinpoint exactly where Golston will play in April. He is listed as a defensive end on the roster and has played in the second-most games of any player at that position behind DeMarcus Lawrence. Then again, Micah Parsons is still a linebacker and we all know he's likely to rush off the edge. But Gholston might get a chance to be an all-down end. If that's the case, he'll need to develop as a pass rusher, as he has 3.5 sacks in three years. But don't be surprised if he remains in a hybrid role that sees him line up all over the D-line to find mismatches.
future: This year is the final year of Golston's four-year contract. Sometimes we've seen players develop in a “contract year,” but sometimes teams have even more incentive to play younger players with an eye toward the future. So it will be important for Golston to have a strong training camp and preseason and establish himself as a difference-maker on the defensive line. Up until now, Golston hasn't been able to separate himself in terms of playing time, but with the Cowboys losing in free agency and both the 2nd end and 2nd tackle signed to other teams, now is the time for Golston. It's time. He could sign a big contract next offseason.