Cowboys rookie Chauncey Golston wants ‘to be a swiss army knife’ for DL

Chauncey Golston adds more depth to the Cowboys pass rush. However, the former Iowa Hawkeye is willing to play multiple positions if asked.

It was no secret that the Dallas Cowboys were going to go heavy on the defensive side of the ball in the 2021 NFL draft. They did so by making eight selections on defense (had 11 picks total), with three coming on the defensive line.

Osa Odighizuwa (third round) and Quinton Bohanna (sixth round) were brought in to add depth along the interior. Chauncey Golston, a defensive end out of Iowa, was selected in the third round as a depth piece for the Cowboys outside pass rush. However, after his first mini-camp practice last Friday, Golston stated he’s ready to play wherever he’s given a chance to.

“You want to be a Swiss army knife,” Golston said, via the team’s website. “So, you want to be able wherever there’s opportunity.”

Golston only recorded two tackles as a freshman in 2017. A year later, albeit as a key reserve, he began to show his talent by racking up 35 tackles (nine tackles for loss), 3.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, an interception, and a pass defended. Over his last two seasons, Golston was very productive with 92 combined tackles (18 tackles for loss), 8.5 sacks, two interceptions, six passes defended, and a forced fumble. He would be named honorable-mention All-Big Ten in 2019 and first-team All-Big Ten in 2020.

Although he primarily rushed the passer from the edge, Golston showed his versatility during his days are Iowa by sliding inside to play defensive tackle. He talked on Friday about his willingness to play the 3-technique in nickel and dime packages as well.

“That’s how I got on the field my first time in Iowa,” Golston said. “I’ve always been trying to get on the field no matter what or where. So, if I’m on the inside, I’m just trying to make a play. At the end of the day, it’s football.”

Position flex is exactly what teams look for in today’s NFL. Golston’s quick first step and ability to bend off the edge make him a solid piece behind DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory. Also, he uses good power and excellent hands to shed blockers on the interior, which can add another body alongside Neville Gallimore and Trysten who each showed promise in 2020.

The former Hawkeye began his NFL journey dawning the shiny silver helmet of the Cowboys as an outside pass rusher, and he’s focused on getting the nuances of Dan Quinn’s defense down so that he can contribute right away.

“I’ll be focusing on defensive end right now,” Golston said. “That’s all we’ve gotten to so far. But overall just trying to get better at learning the defense and being a better first-step player.”

Quinn mentioned back in January that he was looking to pinpoint specific roles for players on the roster that had unique skill sets. With Golston’s ability to play multiple positions, Quinn can add his name to that list.

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Randy Gregory returns to Cowboys practice for first time since 2018

Randy Gregory hasn’t practiced for the Cowboys since the 2018 playoffs. The former second-round pick made his return on Wednesday.

Randy Gregory was suspended indefinitely in February of 2019 for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy and the terms of his conditional reinstatement and didn’t play a single snap for the Dallas Cowboys. After being conditionally reinstated just before the start of the 2020 season, and receiving a one-year extension, Gregory made his return to the practice field on Wednesday.

The last time Gregory was on the field in 2018 he was quite productive. In 14 games (one start) he registered 25 tackles, six sacks (second on the team), two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Currently, the Cowboys defense is yielding a league-worst 172.5 yards per game on the ground while being ranked 30th overall in total defense, putrid to say the least. Adding a talented pass rusher like Gregory to go with DeMarcus Lawrence, Aldon Smith, and Everson Griffen can certainly help in trending those numbers in the opposite direction.

Back in March, Gregory told Patrik Walker of CBS Sports that when he does make his comeback it will be a permanent one.

“I will be back this year,” Gregory said. “Difference is, I’ll be back for good this time.”

More importantly, after battling personal issues away from the field, he’s in a good place in his life.

“I am happy,” Gregory also said in March. “And in a better place mentally more than ever.”

It’s been a rocky road in the NFL for Gregory since he was selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Now, with his physical and mental health well intact, he can begin his road back to playing actual games which he’s eligible to do on October 25 when the Cowboys hit the road to face the Washington Football Team.



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