DE, Iowa
Chauncey Golston Cowboys. Golston was taken by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
For the past few years, Chauncey Golston has been a steadying presence along the Iowa Hawkeyes defensive line. He started rotating in on snaps to taking on the starter’s role opposite of AJ Epenesa. 2021 seemed to be the year that Golston was going to step forward and be the dominant pass rusher that Iowa needed. Instead, Dayvion Nixon took that role and Golston remained the steadying presence. This isn’t a knock on Golston as a player, but it should set up expectations. Golston is not a boring prospect as you will see in the highlights below.
With no combine this year, I’m not putting much weight into a lot of the measurements that guys are putting up. Though it’s pretty tough to mess up measuring jumps (weirdly, arm length is not to be trusted since there is a bit of variable about where you start length, as any fella can tell ya). Golston showed very good athleticism as he is in about the 80th percentile for vertical and broad jump. At 6’4.5″ and 269 pounds, he’s got plenty of size and athleticism to measure up at the NFL level. As I said, he’s not an eye popping prospect. Though he does always put himself in position to make good plays. He’s especially strong against the run game.
Against The Run
When I think of Golston, it really is in his run support. Running to the outside was just not a great option with Golston on the edge. Not only can he cut off options, but he can also run down a back with excellent closing speed.
The play is set up to get the running back up field much quicker, but Golston is there, stringing the play along and the running back just never has any room to turn up field. Here is a 4th and 2 that doesn’t go Northwestern’s way.
Golston shows great instincts on run plays where he just beats the man in front of him, dodges pulling guards, and just finds his way towards the football.
This swim move sends the offensive lineman into another zip code and the running back’s best bet on making a first down is fumbling the football. Golston also knows how to show patience to maintain his ground.
Part of the reason that Golston isn’t sexy is the way Iowa’s defense is set up. Most defensive ends are putting the ears back and getting ready to charge after the quarterback. Iowa defensive ends are leaned on to set the edge so even though Golston could try to charge up field, he maintains his ground, sets the edge and gives the running back nowhere to go.
But as good as Golston is against the run, everybody wants a pass rusher along the defensive line. Golston has great versatility with his length as he can rush from the edge or cause havoc on the interior.
Against The Pass
He beats the guard so badly that he launches himself into the tackle. Luckily, that just bounces him directly towards the quarterback. But what stands out here is that this man created some TORQUE on his clubs.
But don’t get it twisted. Rushing from the outside is still his thing. And if you need some sexy. Here is your sexy.
That is so pure, so sweet, so beautiful. Just utter domination. The Wisconsin lineman waits to throw his punch, and he waits a beat too long as Golston gets his hands on him and throws him like a bag of trash. The only good thing for the lineman is that he catches himself instead of face planting on the dirt. His quarterback was not so lucky as he gets absolutely ragdolled as he is thrown to the turf.
Final Thoughts
Chauncey Golston is not an overwhelming physical specimen so there is definitely a ceiling on his potential. He will ideally go to a scenario where he can go to a team that uses multiple fronts to take advantage of his versatility. His main role should be as a 4-3 end, but he could do some standing up on the outside and can obviously be very dangerous in pass rushing situations as an interior rusher. He’s not a game breaker, but he can be a quality rotational piece along an NFL defensive line. Right now, he’s projected as a late round pick, but he’ll be a quality addition anytime on day three.
