The Dallas Cowboys signed a player, but it is not who fans thought the team would sign. Two defensive players went down with injuries, so more players were needed, but the player signed is an unknown product.
Most Dallas Cowboys fans know Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence are out for a few weeks with injuries. Parsons could miss two to four weeks with a high ankle sprain, and DeMarcus Lawrence was put on injured reserve with a right foot sprain, which means he is gone for at least four weeks.
These players’ injuries only add more issues to the already lousy defense.
The Player Signed Could be a Hidden Gem
The front office loves finding hidden gems and hopes the latest addition will revitalize the pass rush. Fans also know not to hold their breath when the front office makes a move for relatively unknown players.
The relatively unknown player is K.J. Henry, who was on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad. The Cowboys signed him to a two-year deal to come over and help.
The #Cowboys are signing pass rusher K.J. Henry to a two-year deal (active roster) off the #Bengals practice squad, per sources.
Henry had 1.5 sacks last year for Washington.
Help on the way for depleted Cowboys pass rush.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 1, 2024
At worst, K.J. Henry can come in and give a warm body to the rotation that now consists of Marshawn Kneeland, Chauncey Golston, and Carl Lawson.
This defensive end rotation should not frighten quarterbacks, but it may be serviceable, and K.J. Henry may bring some unknown skills.
New Dallas Cowboys pass rusher K.J. Henry has one quarterback pressure to his name so far this season.
It came in Week 2 as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
(via NFL Pro) pic.twitter.com/P9uGlzvmHY
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) October 1, 2024
Henry was selected in the fifth round by the Washington Commanders in 2023 from Clemson. During his rookie season, he trained under Jeff Zgonina, who is currently the defensive line coach for Dallas.
Henry thinks his experience with Zgonina can benefit Dallas because he understands what the coach expects from his players.
Henry racked up 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks during his time in Washington. However, despite his efforts, he didn’t make the final cuts and eventually found himself in Cincinnati.
K.J. Henry did pretty well at Clemson but didn’t quite meet expectations. He made 123 tackles and 13.5 sacks. He was good at swatting down passes at the line of scrimmage, knocking away 11 balls during his career, with six of them in his senior year.
K.J. Henry Draft Profile from 2023 Shows Potential
K.J. Henry has the potential to be a good player, and according to his draft profile from 2023, he has a few traits that can help this defense.
Henry is 6’4”, 255 lbs, and ran a 4.63 forty-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He should be stronger and faster now that he has been in the NFL for two years.
His draft profile said he has a solid get-off, is a good run defender who gets physical at the point of attack, and his arm length and extension help him get off blockers.
If he is just a practice squad guy for other teams the negatives have to outweigh the positives.
So here are the negatives.
Several areas need improvement. He struggles to get underneath blockers and doesn’t effectively fill gaps in run defense. He relies on physicality but leaves open rushing lanes inside.
His hands are active but inaccurate when rushing the passer, and he has difficulty defeating blockers with them, limiting his pass-rushing abilities. Additionally, he lacks the strength and power to win as a bull rusher and doesn’t have a consistent go-to move for pass rushing in the NFL.
The rushing techniques and hand placement could improve with the help of Coach Greg Ellis, known for his exceptional technique when rushing quarterbacks in the NFL.
If Greg Ellis can teach this kid some moves—which is a big if —the Cowboys may have a weapon. However, the extensive list of negatives associated with K.J. Henry could point to another player not worth a roster spot.
Adding K.J. Henry at this point in the season could be as minimal as someone filling the roster due to injuries. Maybe the front office did some good research and saw something in this player that could help in the long term.
A team cannot have too many pass rushers, and having a stable of young guns to pin their ears back could pay off.
Hopefully, Will McClay can pull a rabbit out of his hat with K.J. Henry, and the string of finding diamonds in the rough can continue.
The Dallas Cowboys defense needs all the help it can get, and the fans need something exciting to be excited about. Let’s be optimistic, watch the Cowboys play down several players, and cheer for the young men who get to prove they belong.
If they don’t belong, a high draft pick is coming, and that alone can change the franchise’s fortunes. Or, at the very least, make Jerry’s fortune grow.