Dorance Armstrong needs to blossom in pivotal third year

Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong will have to see the field more in 2020 in order to show the team his full potential.

The 2020 Dallas Cowboys may have areas of weakness when it comes their depth chart but they will have strength in numbers along the defensive line. The line has been a focal pointfor improvement and replenishment this offseason With the loss of Robert Quinn to the Chicago Bears and Maliek Collins to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Cowboys knew they had to make it a priority with incoming free agency and the 2020 draft.

However, there’s a player who was already on the roster who could be in line for a breakout season. Dorance Armstrong is entering the magical third year and could become a force if given the opportunity.

The Cowboys quickly addressed the interior of their defensive line with the additions of Dontari Poe and Gerald McCoy. Having the likes of second-year man Trysten Hill, veteran Antwaun Woods and drafting Neville Gallimore, the Cowboys are in good shape there.

After losing Quinn, the Cowboys addressed defensive end by signing free agent Aldon Smith and drafting Bradlee Anae in the fifth round. They still await the fait of the suspended Randy Gregory and Tyrone Crawford will be making his return after practically an entire season away due to hip injuries.

Despite all these moves to address the spot opposite superstar Demarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys still can look within to find a premier star to add to Jim Tomsula’s rotation. Armstrong fits this role nicely.

Entering his third NFL season, the 6-foot-3 , 285-pound Armstrong has suited up for 15 of the 16 regular season games in each of his first two seasons. He compiled 2.5 sacks in 30 games playing 27% of the defensive snaps in 2018, and 24% in 2019 after the acquisition of Quinn. When Armstrong is in there, he’s making plays. He also tallied 20 solo tackles and in addition participated in 44% of the 2019 special teams snaps  making him viable to play multiple roles.

Armstrong had himself a notable day last season in Week 5 when the Cowboys hosted the Green Bay Packers. In a game the team as a whole would like to forget, Armstrong played in just 25 percent of the defensive snaps but registered three solo tackles and his first sack of the season on quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

His breakout play came in Week 9 of last season when he had his way with the New York Giants offensive line by recording a strip sack on Giants quarterback Daniel Jones which eventually lead to a scoop and score by Jourdan Lewis.

 

With the competition being plentiful in 2020, Armstrong has to make his way onto the field more than his first two seasons to compete with the likes of Smith, Crawford and potentially Gregory. A healthy rotation is preferred but the Cowboys are surely not going to keep all of these defensive lineman. If Armstrong wants to make this roster come September, he will have to show flashes of greatness early and often.

This is part of our Countdown to the Regular Season player profile countdown. With 91 days remaining until the NFL’s first game, up next is long snapper L.P. Ladouceur.

| Antwaun Woods | Tyrone Crawford | Trysten Hill | Jalen Jelks |
| Dontari Poe | Randy Gregory| Gerald McCoy |