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With the 84th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft the Dallas Cowboys selected defensive end Chauncey Golston out of Iowa.
With the pick they acquired from Philadelphia, the Cowboys add in the trenches with Iowa’s defensive end Chauncey Golston. Golston is a very stout run defender on the strong side, and plays with excellent length, power, and size as a base defensive end. Golston has little pass-rush upside outside of his ability to rush the passer with power, but he can provide the Cowboys front seven with some much needed run support that it surely lacked in 2020.
Base end prospect for a 4-3 defense with potential to reduce inside for sub-packages. Golston has added good weight on his frame since coming to Iowa, but holding the point of attack and setting a strong edge will be a challenge for him due to his lack of play strength. While his rush off the edge is ordinary, he flashes as a disruptive interior rusher able to slip into gaps and make some noise. There are some physical traits to work with, so he could find work if he can add more strength and keep improving his rush.
Iowa EDGE Chauncey Golston projects as an early-down defender at the NFL level. Golston’s best flashes come as a playside defensive end who sifts through trash and bullies tight ends and tackles with outside-in leverage to set a firm edge and turn runs back into pursuit. On passing downs, his best penetration comes kicked inside or when he’s asked to stunt and twist to crash into gaps. There’s not a lot of excitement for his ceiling as a pass rusher despite Golston’s prototypical length for the position—which puts a significant glass ceiling over his forecast in the NFL. In all, Golston is a high-motor defender and the perfect early-down rotational player who can help keep your defensive front fresh and winning the point of attack against the run; but I don’t easily foresee a featured role or the development required to become a successful pass rusher in the NFL.
- Round 1, pick 12 - LB Micah Parsons
- Round 2, pick 44 - CB Kelvin Joseph
- Round 3, pick 75 - DT Osa Odighizuwa
- Round 3, pick 84 - EDGE Chauncey Gholston
- Round 3, pick 99
- Round 4, pick 115
- Round 4, pick 138
- Round 5, pick 179
- Round 6, pick 192
- Round 6, pick 227
- Round 7, pick 238
Cowboys needs:
CB - It’s the most popular position for the Cowboys to use their #10 pick on. Chidobe Awuzie departed in free agency from a group that wasn’t very strong to begin with. Trevon Diggs is a piece to build on, but the Cowboys need help.
OL - Injury and age are catching up to various pieces of the Cowboys once-vaunted offensive line. Tyron Smith has an uncertain long-term future, and the middle of the line still has question marks.
DL - The Cowboys could use an infusion of talent at both defensive tackle and defensive end. Expect both positions to be among the picks this weekend.
LB - Sean Lee retired, Joe Thomas left in free agency, and the Cowboys are undecided on Leighton Vander Esch’s fifth-year option. This is a need that has been building this offseason.
S - The Cowboys signed a few free agents to go with Donovan Wilson, but they were mostly one-year contracts. The long-term stability of the position is in doubt, and the small sample size of Wilson’s work only adds to that.