Breaking down the Dallas Cowboys 2019 defensive end depth chart
By Randy Gurzi
Joe Jackson
The Cowboys spent two draft picks on defensive ends this season, with the first being Joe Jackson out of Miami. A fifth-round pick, Jackson could be a steal that late as he showed a lot of promise during his collegiate career.
He needs some refinement, which is the specialty of defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, as Lance Zierlein says he plays like a “bull in a china shop.”
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"“His “bull in a china shop” playing style may not look pretty, but it has created consistent production over the last three seasons. While his NFL-ready frame and play strength are a big plus, his lack of edge speed, bend and fluidity could cap has NFL rush success. Jackson is a natural 4-3 base end, but he may have the length and frame to handle 3-4 defensive end duties.”"
Jackson had 22.5 career sacks for the Hurricanes and could fight for snaps as a rookie. He’s a player to watch in camp and the preseason.
Jalen Jelks
Dallas went back to the defensive end well in the seventh round of the draft, which is where they found Jalen Jelks. The Oregon product has ideal length but could stand to add some muscle to his frame. He could also benefit from a coaching staff that knows the best way to utilize his skills.
While with the Ducks, Jelks spent a lot of time inside as a defensive tackle. With his size, that limited what he could do. This is a projection player, but there’s a chance he can make the roster.
Shakir Sot
Listed at 290 pounds, Shakir Soto is another player who can likely slide inside if necessary. A product of Pittsburgh, Soto played for the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He had 12 tackles in his rookie preseason and added six more in 2018.
He’s a longshot to make the team but this staff loves positional flex, so his ability to move around could help him at least land on the practice squad.