The Dallas Cowboys drafted seven players and added 15 UDFAs in 2020, but 23-year-old second-year DE Jalen Jelks will also be among those looking to play in their first regular season game. Not much is known about his fit as an NFL player, but Jelks has a story all his own, and also as good of chance as any to break out this season.
Drafted No. 241 overall out of Oregon in 2019, the 6-foot-5, 256 pound Jelks was placed on injured reserve after the Cowboys’ final preseason game last year. It was one of those, wink-wink, undisclosed-variety injuries that kept him out the entire season. His rookie season ended before it began, but he enters 2020 with a fresh start and brand new coaching staff.
The previous Dallas regime was reportedly much higher on Jelks than his seventh-round draft slot, and it’s not hard to see why. Said Jason Garrett of Jelks:
“(He was) rated very high on our board, and we’re getting to the end of our draft, and he’s still sitting there like a blinking red light. There is so much to like about this guy: He’s big, long, athletic, plays with a relentless spirit, great motor, great energy, around the ball a lot. He plays the right way, has a lot of the traits we’re looking for in our defensive linemen.”
Of course, the brand-new staff cuts both ways. He wasn’t drafted by this regime, though he may be more attractive to them and the scheme they plan on running. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan seems to prefer bulkier body types, but Jelks has the size and versatility to be a move piece, and potentially get snaps as the designated pass rusher in a multiple-front defense.
Draft Profile
[protected-iframe id=”2858b93b5da6b3f2871f10727b9aea8d-105974723-50443307″ info=”https://www.mockdraftable.com/embed/jalen-jelks?position=EDGE&page=GRAPH” width=”480″ height=”651″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”]
Dane Brugler of The Athletic had the following to say about him.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Oregon, Jelks was a nomad in the Ducks’ 3-4 base scheme, lining up primarily as a two-gapping end over the offensive tackle while also moving inside over the nose or standing up in pass-rush situations. He posted career-bests as a junior, but struggled to match those numbers as a senior. Jelks has the raw tools that NFL teams seek in pass rushers with his length, flexibility and motor. However, he has below-average bulk and body posture and can be controlled if he doesn’t win with his quick twitch at the snap. Overall, Jelks has a long, rangy frame with competitive make-up, but he isn’t a strong point-of-attack player and struggles to get home as a pass rusher, projecting as a developmental stand-up rusher in a 3-4 scheme.
Oregon has produced multiple notable defensive lineman in recent years, including, Dion Jordan, DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead. Jelks may not have the pedigree of those players, but does possess many intriguing traits, and posted big numbers in four years of Pac-12 play. Jelks recorded 29.5 tackles for loss (22.5 coming in his final two seasons), added 15 sacks, had 12 pass defenses (seven in 2017) in college. He was named first-team All-Conference in 2018 and second-team in 2017.
Jelks was also a 2019 Senior Bowl participant, where he stood out amongst the nation’s top college seniors. He especially turned eyes steamrolling lineman Max Scharping, the No. 55 overall draft pick that year.
Oregon EDGE Jalen Jelks treated Max Scharping as little more than a speed bump here.
Bull rushed him right into the dirt. pic.twitter.com/hyE3nZJI2t
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) March 21, 2019
For a 7 Jalen Jelks is about as interesting an edge as you’ll find. Doesn’t really know how to do some of the dippy bendy flatten things but doesn’t play stiff and is prototypical WDE size and build. pic.twitter.com/MLxqbmrqmr
— Keith Mullins (@KeithDeuces) April 27, 2019
Jalen
They may not be HotBoyz yet, but rookies Joe Jackson, Jalen Jelks, and under-the-radar Ricky Walker were en fuego Saturday night. Can you split a sack three ways? pic.twitter.com/PamsqTgjl1
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) August 11, 2019
Despite having plenty of tools, the biggest challenge Jelks will face in cracking the roster is the competition he faces.
Dallas has added several young DEs since the 2016 season, including Dorance Armstrong, Joe Jackson and this year’s fifth-round pick Bradlee Anae. Opportunity for playing time opposite and backing up DeMarcus Lawrence is wide open, but Jelks will have to overcome several players each with their own upside and abilities to claim it.
Still, with so much potential and time to grow NFL strength and size, it’s possible for Jelks to emerge as a future contributor, able to contribute in a variety of ways. With his NFL career still in the early stages, there’s many directions it can take, but the young Jelks is already making roots in Dallas.
Personal Side of Things
Jelks is in a relationship with Satou Sabally, recent No. 2 overall pick of the 2020 WNBA draft for the Dallas Wings. Last May, they each volunteered alongside Dirk Nowitzki and Devin Harris in the Dallas community.
A big thank you to all of the volunteers, @center_cuban staff, @mcuban, @satou_sabally, @jalenjelks, @dev34harris, and @heroescelebrity who all made yesterday’s Center Table drive-through event possible and a success! Happy Mother’s Day!!! pic.twitter.com/ZhKjMHw32v
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) May 10, 2020
Learn more about Jelks in this pre-draft news profile from his hometown in Phoenix, which showcases his artistic side and his skateboarding past.
This is part of our Countdown to the Regular Season player profile countdown. With 95 days remaining until the NFL’s first game, up next is nose tackle Dontari Poe.
Antwaun Woods | Tyrone Crawford | Trysten Hill
[vertical-gallery id=648572][vertical-gallery id=646597][lawrence-newsletter]