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Breaking down the Dallas Cowboys 2019 defensive end depth chart

By Randy Gurzi

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after a sack during the third quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 25, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after a sack during the third quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 25, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 12: Taco Charlton #97 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his sack of quaterback Sean Mannion #13 of the Los Angeles Rams during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 12: Taco Charlton #97 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his sack of quaterback Sean Mannion #13 of the Los Angeles Rams during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Taco Charlton

In 2017, the Cowboys were on the clock and many fans were clamoring for T.J. Watt or Kevin King. Then, the card was read and Taco Charlton was announced as the selection. There was a collective groan as the Michigan defensive end wasn’t the player fans were desperate for.

So far, he’s done very little to prove them wrong. Charlton has struggled to adapt to the NFL and had just 19 tackles and three sacks as a rookie. In his second year, he started to play better and even started seven games.

The problem was, he was taken off the field on third downs and then ended up injured to end the season. He still saw more tackles (27) in just 11 games but his sack total fell to only one. Until he can start to pressure the quarterback more frequently, he’s going to be looked at as a bust.

This season will be huge for Charlton and he suddenly finds himself fighting for a spot on this team.

Dorance Armstrong

One player to keep an eye on in the battle for snaps at defensive end in Dorance Armstrong. A fourth-round pick out of Kansas last season. Armstrong played in 15 games with one start as a rookie. He posted 13 tackles and a half sack, but there’s plenty to appreciate about his game.

While at Kansas, he had become a sack artist, posting 10 in his sophomore season. He ended up with only two as a junior but still had 63 tackles. He’s raw but the bend and explosion are there and he could be a diamond in the rough.

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