Chauncey Golston a third-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 from the University of Iowa has been mostly a flex player for this defense since he was drafted.
He can play multiple spots. Mostly playing defensive end but has slid inside to play tackle a handful of times.
It is only June, so we haven’t really been able to see how Mike Zimmer will display his new defensive scheme, so it is not easy to pinpoint where Golston might play most of his snaps in 2024.
2024 Could Be His Chance
Golston isn’t the physical specimen you’d expect to play as an interior defender, but his quick first step and ability to make adjustments on the fly.
He could get the chance to become an every-down end. If that’s the case, he’s going to have to improve as a pass-rusher as he has 3.5 sacks in three years. But don’t be surprised if he remains in a hybrid role that sees him line up all over the D-line to find mismatches.
Mike Zimmer always gets the best out of his guys, and as long as Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence are lining up next to him, he could have his best year to date.
With the loss of some depth guys to the Washington Commanders, Golston could have a solid year.
Contract Year
2024 is the final year of Golston’s contract, and with how back the Cowboys are at signing even their own players, would be hard to see him get a deal until the year is completely over.
If he has a breakout campaign, maybe they bring him back if they can get him for a cheaper contract. We know the front office does not like to spend money.
He has the motivation that he needs to step in and have a good season under new defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer.
Sometimes we’ve seen players thrive in the “contract year” but also gives teams more incentive to play younger players with an eye on the future. So it’ll be important for Golston to have a strong training camp and preseason and establish himself as a difference-maker on the defensive line.
Zimmer has run a 4-3 defense for the majority of his career but was the defense coordinator under Bill Parcells and ran a 3-4 scheme, so he has shown versatility.
Zimmer had proven over the years that his defense works and Dallas has more talent than any of his teams he had when he was the Vikings head coach.
The Vikings’ defense was top-12 in points allowed in each of Zimmer’s first six seasons with the team, including a top-five finish in 2015, ’17, and ’19.
Wait And See
I am not sure what we are going to get from this defense, to be honest. Stephon Gilmore is gone, but Trevon Diggs will return with DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis.
The defensive line as noted lost some depth but still has the two studs and guys like Sam Williams who also could have a big season.
Micah needs to show up, he has two years left on his deal, and he should be around when training camp starts in late July. CeeDee Lamb has never right to hold out, but the market has been set with Justin Jefferson.
Other clubs are getting deals done while the Cowboys sit back and allow the market to continue to grow, it makes no sense.
Zimmer will be maybe the voice this team needs on that side of the ball at least. Yet, it already sounds like Micah Parsons is having a problem. Going to be a long summer to wait and see how this group comes together.