Cowboys will have to make some tough decisions at defensive tackle

As training camp is just around the corner for the Dallas Cowboys, the depth of the roster will show itself.

This is one of the most talented rosters that the Cowboys will field in many years.

The 2007 and 2014 squads may be the only other rosters that can recently compare.

One of the deepest units on the team is the defensive line, specifically the defensive tackle position.

That is the unit we will be examining today.

To read about the previously published training camp battle evaluations, use the following links.

Quarterback

Running back

Wide receiver

Offensive tackle

Offensive guard

Cowboys DT Osa Odighizuwa

Defensive Tackles

Established Starter(s): Osa Odighizuwa, Johnathan Hankins
Battle for Backup: Mazi Smith, Chauncey Golston, Neville Gallimore, Quinton Bohanna, Isaac Alarcon

The Dallas Cowboys have a problem. It’s a good problem, though.

Once desperate for impact defensive tackles, the tables have turned and the Cowboys have too many players at the position to roster them all.

For the first time in a long time, there will be high level competition to make the roster as a defensive tackle in training camp.

The current starters on the Cowboys depth chart are third year player Osa Odighizuwa and veteran Johnathan Hankins.

However, a highly drafted rookie may be coming for Hankins’ job sooner than later.

Let’s dive in.

Cowboys DT Mazi Smith

Mazi Smith

The behemoth from the University of Michigan was taken by Dallas in the 1st round of this year’s draft.

Cowboys antagonists will be quick to mention that he only produced 0.5 sacks in his entire career at Michigan.

They will also purposely leave out the fact that Mazi’s job in Jim Harbaugh’s defense was as a space eating 1-technique.

If you’re anything like me, you implicitly trust Dan Quinn to get the absolute best out of the young stud.

His draft stock alone puts him at the top of the list as first reserve, with the likelihood of being the starter over Hankins sooner than later.

Cowboys’ DL Chauncey Golston

Chauncey Golston

The versatile third year player out of Iowa has a chip on his shoulder, and much to prove this upcoming season.

Chauncey Golston is technically listed as a defensive end on the depth chart, but he flashed as a 3-technique last season.

Golston bulked up from his 268 pound frame after he was taken in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft.

Putting on mass while still maintaining the twitch and quickness that attracted Dan Quinn in the first place has done great things for him.

Osa is essentially locked in as the number one 3-tech on the defense, but Golston is able to come in and spell him.

Cowboys DT Neville Gallimore

Neville Gallimore

The University of Oklahoma product is on the brink of being released.

Neville Gallimore seemed to have fallen out of favor of the current defensive staff.

Gallimore is a holdover from the Mike Nolan defense that set historic franchise records for futility.

He was playing well into the 3rd quarter of preseason games last year, and barely made the cut last season.

Having started only one game in 2022, Gallimore was actually a healthy scratch for the playoff game in Tampa Bay.

Quinton Bohanna

Quinton Bohanna is a 360 pound 1-tech that was taken in the 2021 draft.

Bohanna was actually a double dip from the University of Kentucky, and was noticed by Dan Quinn when he was scouting CB Kelvin Joseph.

The Kentucky product has not cracked into the permanent rotation at defensive line, but perhaps that changes in his third season.

He was credited with nine starts in 2022, which may be a sign that his arrow is pointing up.

Isaac Alarcon

Isaac Alarcon would like everyone to know that he loves cake.

That’s actually just about all that Cowboys fans know about him, as he hasn’t seen a regular season field.

Alarcon is part of the Cowboys’ international program, and up until this season, did not count towards their roster number.

That exemption is gone starting this season, and Dallas moved him from offensive tackle to defensive tackle in the hopes he can be more successful.

Prediction

Out of the players we discussed today, Mazi and Golston are absolute locks for the roster.

Mazi is a 1st round pick, and won’t be going anywhere.

Golston brings the versatility that the Cowboys love by being able to kick out to defensive end when needed.

Then it gets tricky.

It’s possible that the Cowboys keep Gallimore, but him playing may be a weekly roster construction decision.

That would mean some weeks where Gallimore is a healthy scratch based on the matchup.

For Bohanna, if he can make the leap and be even equal in talent to Gallimore, the Cowboys may decide to keep him because he’s cheaper.

As far as Alarcon goes, it seems inevitable he will be cut before the season starts.

His move to defensive tackle feels like they added a defensive tackle camp body by switching his position instead of looking outside of the organization for help.