Dallas Cowboys: Chauncey Golston will steal someone’s job soon
The Dallas Cowboys had a defense-oriented 2021 NFL Draft class. That was to be expected after what we all saw from the Cowboys’ defense in the 2020 season.
Dallas had 11 total selections in the 2021 NFL Draft and eight of them were invested on the defensive side of the ball, including the top six picks for the team overall. After using their first- and second-round picks on Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons and Kentucky cornerback Kelvin Joseph before spending two third-round picks on defensive linemen.
The first defensive lineman the Dallas Cowboys landed was UCLA’s Osa Odighizuwa, a nice value on the interior defensive line with the 75th overall pick and a player who should contribute for them early.
With the 84th overall pick, the Cowboys landed Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Chauncey Golston, a player not many had as the top Iowa Hawkeyes player off the board in the 2021 class at this time a year ago.
Golston was a three-year starter for the Hawkeyes and was one of the more underrated players on the team over the course of that timeframe.
With players like first-round picks TJ Hockenson, Tristan Wirfs, and Noah Fant, a second-round pick in AJ Epenesa — the list could go on — it’s not altogether surprising that Golston has flown under the radar a little bit.
Even on the 2020 Hawkeyes, Golston was overshadowed by Daviyon Nixon who ended up getting picked in the fifth round.
Over the last three seasons, Golston quietly racked up 127 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 10 passes batted down, and three interceptions.
At 6-foot-5, 269 pounds, Golston has rare length for the defensive end position with a wingspan of almost 85 inches and arm length of nearly 35 inches.
Despite that size, Golston posted an impressive 36-inch vertical jump and a very solid 4.80 in the 40-yard dash, showing off impressive athleticism in addition to his outstanding size.
With size, athletic talent, productivity, and a relentless motor, what’s not to love about Chauncey Golston?
The Dallas Cowboys managed to get a couple of really good values out of the Iowa Hawkeyes program in the 2021 NFL Draft (or after) with Golston and wide receiver Brandon Smith who signed with the team as an undrafted free agent.
After reviewing tape, @seniorbowl American player-of-game honors could’ve gone to @HawkeyeFootball DL Chauncey Golston, who has length (6046v, 84 3/8 wing), versatility, & motor to develop into quality starter. @2live57 is getting plenty of buzz in NFL draft meetings right now.📈 pic.twitter.com/IrJsVtAW6z
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 23, 2021
Golston had a great week at the Senior Bowl, and all of his work at Iowa combined with his week in Mobile, his pre-draft workout — all of it combined together into a third-round value for the Dallas Cowboys.
Up next? Golston is going to steal someone’s job.
The Dallas Cowboys have a new defensive coordinator in former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn.
Golston can play a variety of positions on the defensive line well, but in the base formation, he’s obviously going to be playing the defensive end position. Golston’s ability to be a consistent run defender as well as his high potential as a pass rusher make him an intriguing candidate to come in and start right away as a rookie.
He’s obviously got plenty of experience coming in and the Cowboys let over 800 snaps walk in free agency with Aldon Smith heading out of town.
Golston has a chance to be a stud for Dallas as a rookie and whoever gets the seniority call over him to open Cowboys training camp should be watching their backs.