Dorance Armstrong was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2018’s fourth round, with the intent to develop his raw size and talent as a pass rusheroff the edge. As a sophomore at Kansas Armstrong put up 10 sacks, the most for a Jayhawk since 2008, and added 20 tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles.
At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, at worse, he was a potential back up to Demarcus Lawrence when the star edge rusher needed a breather. Ideally, he could bend the edge opposite Lawrence and form a dynamic duo that could bring some chaos to opposing QBs. Three seasons in with almost no production as a pass rusher and Armstrong is on a bubble to make the roster at all in 2021. It wasn’t for lack of opportunity either.
Mike Nolan and Jim Tomsula seemed enamored with Armstrong in 2020, playing him at a high rate while a more productive pressure player in Randy Gregory was forced to split time.
At just 24 years old, it’s possible Quinn asks Armstrong to attack the QB more, now that bulk has been added to the defensive line to hopefully hold up better against the run. Armstrong has also had many years to build up his frame and that could help him produce more as well. The production hasn’t came yet, but one can see the reasons the front office was hopeful he’d emerge as more of a threat coming out of college.
Our 2021 Player Profile Countdown continues with No. 92, Dorance Armstrong. Jr.