Stashed away in Year 1, Cowboys DE Jelks could emerge in 2020

[CowboyRoy]

If Jelks added strength, he’s gonna be a real threat to make the team. A lot to like about him,

A REAL THREAT!!………….……...to make the team.

Doesn't sound very threatening to me.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

The DE room is awfully crowded. Not with top end talent, but guys that are good enough to keep Jelks from making the team.

 

[glimmerman]

Nobody is slipping or sliding anymore. Right kind of guy thing won’t be happening. You either can play in the new system or get cut.

 

[Montanalo]

In the past regime, it seemed like we went long on the DL based on the strategy of rotating "waves" of fresh linemen against a weary offensive line (yes, i know, it sounds a lot better than it actually is). In part, they adopted this strategy simply because they didn't have the talent.

Now, it seems like we might go long on the DL because we do have a number of potential players worth keeping longer time... I'm a glass half full kind of guy.

 

[Rockport]

Hopefully he's been pumping iron for the last year.

 

[Cowboys22]

I have zero confidence in any college DL talent evaluated by Marinelli.

I don’t think that’s the case with Jelks. In fact, I think it might be just the opposite. The scouts supposedly had him much higher on the board than the 7th round where they got him. So much so that he was the proverbial blinking light. The reason they didn’t pick him earlier is probably because they had already taken Jackson and he didn’t really fit Marinelli’s scheme. He does, however, fit Nolan’s hybrid scheme. There are other in front of him for the role he fits but he has a chance to develop in this defense. I liked him a lot last preseason. Much more than Jackson but Jackson fit the D so he got the spot while Jelks was stashed to see if he could gain size and strength. We will see how it plays out but Jelks is a guy I’m hoping surprises this year.

 

[Hardline]

Has anyone ever been stashed away and gone on to have a good career? Genuine question.

Tony Romo

 

[McKDaddy]

We have a few guys like him
Time will tell who, if any of them break out

Who knows if any of them become mainstays but I agree I have seen flashes from several of them that gives hope

 

[atlantacowboy]

I don’t think that’s the case with Jelks. In fact, I think it might be just the opposite. The scouts supposedly had him much higher on the board than the 7th round where they got him. So much so that he was the proverbial blinking light. The reason they didn’t pick him earlier is probably because they had already taken Jackson and he didn’t really fit Marinelli’s scheme. He does, however, fit Nolan’s hybrid scheme. There are other in front of him for the role he fits but he has a chance to develop in this defense. I liked him a lot last preseason. Much more than Jackson but Jackson fit the D so he got the spot while Jelks was stashed to see if he could gain size and strength. We will see how it plays out but Jelks is a guy I’m hoping surprises this year.

He was the 241st player selected. So, clearly choosing him any higher than round 7 would have been a reach. Nobody thinks this guy can play at this level. He is soft and has poor technique. Those are huge obstacles to overcome.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Tony Romo

I meant more so on defense. Should've clarified that.

 

[gimmesix]

All these de's gonna suddenly show up lol. Hopefully at least 2 can be average.

Jelks showed a little bit in the preseason before getting injured. Smith was all-world before taking a bender. Gregory was coming on strong before drawing another suspension. Anae is new, so who knows with him.

Armstrong hasn't been much of a pass rusher in his first couple of years, so for him to suddenly show up would be a surprise. I didn't see much from Jackson to make me think he's going to be more than average.

There are definitely questions about all of them, but some of them haven't showed us what they might be yet.

 

[Plankton]

Has anyone ever been stashed away and gone on to have a good career? Genuine question.

Chad Hennings didn't do too badly.

 

[Kaiser]

Chad Hennings didn't do too badly.

Chad Hennings was an All American that was drafted knowing he wouldn't be able to play for four years. He was also an 11th round pick.

The examples are guys like Ron Leary or Miles Austin or even Dwayne Harris, but they aren't the defensive guys @rocyaice was asking about.

 

[Plankton]

Chad Hennings was an All American that was drafted knowing he wouldn't be able to play for four years. He was also an 11th round pick.

The examples are guys like Ron Leary or Miles Austin or even Dwayne Harris, but they aren't the defensive guys @rocyaice was asking about.

Jelks was a seventh round pick. And Hennings was no sure thing coming off of a four year tour in the Air Force, and having lost significant weight to perform his duties. He largely didn't play for two full seasons.

I understood the question. I also wasn't looking for your affirmation.

 

[JohnsKey19]

The DE room is awfully crowded. Not with top end talent, but guys that are good enough to keep Jelks from making the team.

Was going to say this. If the team gets what they expect or hope from A.Smith/Gregory, you're basically down to 1-2 available slots among Armstrong, Joe Jackson, Anae and Jelks. Gotta believe as a 1st year draft pick, Anae is all but guaranteed a spot barring a major injury.

1. DLaw
2. Crawford
3. A. Smith
4. Gregory (tentative)
5. Anae

How many more DEs would they carry on the active roster? 1...even 2 is a stretch.

 

[Kaiser]

I understood the question. I also wasn't looking for your affirmation.

Hennings was a flyer, not a developmental player stashed on IR.

You don't have to develop or stash an All American player.

 

[KJJ]

The only player I can think of off the top of my head that ever emerged after being stashed away in year one with an injury was Ken Norton Jr. I believe he made it to the third game of the regular season before being injured.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Chad Hennings was an All American that was drafted knowing he wouldn't be able to play for four years. He was also an 11th round pick.

The examples are guys like Ron Leary or Miles Austin or even Dwayne Harris, but they aren't the defensive guys @rocyaice was asking about.

Right. And I'm not asking to be argumentative I just honestly can't think of many guys on that side of the football. But I can list you a bunch of guys who we "stashed" just to go on and do nothing.

Who knows Jelks may be the exception here but it doesn't seem like you stash a guy who's ready to contribute for you but maybe he can be a special teams guy and depth guy. Still would be solid if he is even good on special teams.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Was going to say this. If the team gets what they expect or hope from A.Smith/Gregory, you're basically down to 1-2 available slots among Armstrong, Joe Jackson, Anae and Jelks. Gotta believe as a 1st year draft pick, Anae is all but guaranteed a spot barring a major injury.

1. DLaw
2. Crawford
3. A. Smith
4. Gregory (tentative)
5. Anae

How many more DEs would they carry on the active roster? 1...even 2 is a stretch.

Jelks best chance is likely vs Armstrong, but even then, I don't give him much of a chance

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Chad Hennings didn't do too badly.

Damn I Didn't know they stashed him. Crap that sucks though that we have to go all the way back to that era in order to find a example of that.