Junior Fehoko keeps strength in numbers approach to DL in new scheme

[big dog cowboy]

Many of the pass rushers ahead of Fehoko on the depth chart in 2023 have left the Cowboys this offseason.
By Sean Martin May 3, 2024

The Dallas Cowboys will be implementing their third defensive scheme since Mike McCarthy has been head coach, this year under new coordinator Mike Zimmer. The Cowboys are hopeful Zimmer can install his defense and get new personnel up to speed in time to keep that side of the ball as a strength, adding DE Marshawn Kneeland, LB Marist Liufau, CB Caelen Carson, and DT Justin Rogers in last week’s draft.

Kneeland and Rogers help the Cowboys replace defensive line starters that left in free agency like Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, Neville Gallimore, and Johnathan Hankins, but this front four will also be about getting breakout seasons from second- and third-year players in a new scheme. The more traditional alignments that Zimmer is expected to use has given new hope to nose tackle Mazi Smith as 2023’s first-round pick, but the same should go for fourth-round pick Junior Fehoko. Taking a true development year with experienced names ahead of him on the depth chart as a rookie, the pass rusher out of San Jose State now has a much better chance of getting in the rotation and making a name for himself in 2024.

Fehoko did spend most of his rookie season on IR with a knee injury. Activated at the end of the season, Fehoko is a bit undersized to play on the interior in the NFL, but had the speed and explosiveness to be a project in a defense that emphasized these traits under Quinn. Fehoko will still have a chance to show off his pass rush ability in Zimmer’s defense, with snaps up for grabs on both the interior and edge. This is a player that’s comfortable along the line of scrimmage, playing in tight spaces and flipping his hips well to run sideline-to-sideline defending the run.

More: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...view-junior-fehoko-defensvie-line-mike-zimmer

 

[gimmesix]

I expect Zimmer to play Fehoko more at end to try to improve the run defense. He might get some snaps inside as a pass rusher on third downs, though.

 

[speedkilz88]

He was 282 at the combine. I think expectations would be that he's put on some more muscle/weight.

 

[blueblood70]

I expect Zimmer to play Fehoko more at end to try to improve the run defense. He might get some snaps inside as a pass rusher on third downs, though.

Yes, but that also goes for goldston too there's going to be a lot of guys fighting for the slots that Armstrong and Fowler left open... But Sam Williams immediately is the replacement for Armstrong if not a candidate to get a lot more starting snaps gift yes he keeps his head in the game... I mean Sam Williams in my opinion, and this is just an opinion, might be the most talented defensive end like true defensive end we have on our team not Micah Parsons because I consider him an outside linebacker that pass rushes from that position but true pure defensive in pass rushing skills like the first step just the great instincts he just needs to get his mental focus on football..

 

[gimmesix]

Yes, but that also goes for goldston too there's going to be a lot of guys fighting for the slots that Armstrong and Fowler left open... But Sam Williams immediately is the replacement for Armstrong if not a candidate to get a lot more starting snaps gift yes he keeps his head in the game... I mean Sam Williams in my opinion, and this is just an opinion, might be the most talented defensive end like true defensive end we have on our team not Micah Parsons because I consider him an outside linebacker that pass rushes from that position but true pure defensive in pass rushing skills like the first step just the great instincts he just needs to get his mental focus on football..

I'm less certain about Golston, but it might depend on how ready to contribute Kneeland is. I guess if we see Golston drop a little weight, he might shift back to end, but I think he's going to be the main 3-tech rotating with Odighizuwa for early-down snaps. We really don't have anybody else. I mean, we could use Mazi and Rogers in there at the same time on first down to bulk up the line, but if Zimmer wants a regular 3-tech in there, our two guys are Odig and Golston (if Golston is still in that 290 range).

 

[darthseinfeld]

Many of the pass rushers ahead of Fehoko on the depth chart in 2023 have left the Cowboys this offseason.
By Sean Martin May 3, 2024

The Dallas Cowboys will be implementing their third defensive scheme since Mike McCarthy has been head coach, this year under new coordinator Mike Zimmer. The Cowboys are hopeful Zimmer can install his defense and get new personnel up to speed in time to keep that side of the ball as a strength, adding DE Marshawn Kneeland, LB Marist Liufau, CB Caelen Carson, and DT Justin Rogers in last week’s draft.

Kneeland and Rogers help the Cowboys replace defensive line starters that left in free agency like Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, Neville Gallimore, and Johnathan Hankins, but this front four will also be about getting breakout seasons from second- and third-year players in a new scheme. The more traditional alignments that Zimmer is expected to use has given new hope to nose tackle Mazi Smith as 2023’s first-round pick, but the same should go for fourth-round pick Junior Fehoko. Taking a true development year with experienced names ahead of him on the depth chart as a rookie, the pass rusher out of San Jose State now has a much better chance of getting in the rotation and making a name for himself in 2024.

Fehoko did spend most of his rookie season on IR with a knee injury. Activated at the end of the season, Fehoko is a bit undersized to play on the interior in the NFL, but had the speed and explosiveness to be a project in a defense that emphasized these traits under Quinn. Fehoko will still have a chance to show off his pass rush ability in Zimmer’s defense, with snaps up for grabs on both the interior and edge. This is a player that’s comfortable along the line of scrimmage, playing in tight spaces and flipping his hips well to run sideline-to-sideline defending the run.

More: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...view-junior-fehoko-defensvie-line-mike-zimmer

Id be very surprised of he gets more than 150 defensive snaps this year

 

[gimmesix]

Yes, but that also goes for goldston too there's going to be a lot of guys fighting for the slots that Armstrong and Fowler left open... But Sam Williams immediately is the replacement for Armstrong if not a candidate to get a lot more starting snaps gift yes he keeps his head in the game... I mean Sam Williams in my opinion, and this is just an opinion, might be the most talented defensive end like true defensive end we have on our team not Micah Parsons because I consider him an outside linebacker that pass rushes from that position but true pure defensive in pass rushing skills like the first step just the great instincts he just needs to get his mental focus on football..

I am hoping that Williams gets first crack at the Fowler role. I know that this is a different scheme than Quinn used, but we still are going to need someone in there at end on passing downs who can get after the passer. It's Williams' chance to prove himself. And I'm not knocking Williams' run defense because I think it has been good at times. I just think Zimmer's going to lean on the "power" ends on early downs so that we can be better at holding the edges than we were.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I am hoping that Williams gets first crack at the Fowler role. I know that this is a different scheme than Quinn used, but we still are going to need someone in there at end on passing downs who can get after the passer. It's Williams' chance to prove himself. And I'm not knocking Williams' run defense because I think it has been good at times. I just think Zimmer's going to lean on the "power" ends on early downs so that we can be better at holding the edges than we were.

Am I missing something? If Williams gets the first crack at the Fowler role, who’s playing Armstrong’s role as the starter?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Am I missing something? If Williams gets the first crack at the Fowler role, who’s playing Armstrong’s role as the starter?

Round 2 Pick 56 - DE Marshawn Kneeland Western Michigan

 

[_sturt_]

If Williams gets the first crack at the Fowler role, who’s playing Armstrong’s role as the starter?

I think all of that will get decided in training camp, regardless. Doesn't matter who we project in what role at this point in time.

 

[DeaconMoss]

Many of the pass rushers ahead of Fehoko on the depth chart in 2023 have left the Cowboys this offseason.
By Sean Martin May 3, 2024

The Dallas Cowboys will be implementing their third defensive scheme since Mike McCarthy has been head coach, this year under new coordinator Mike Zimmer. The Cowboys are hopeful Zimmer can install his defense and get new personnel up to speed in time to keep that side of the ball as a strength, adding DE Marshawn Kneeland, LB Marist Liufau, CB Caelen Carson, and DT Justin Rogers in last week’s draft.

Kneeland and Rogers help the Cowboys replace defensive line starters that left in free agency like Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, Neville Gallimore, and Johnathan Hankins, but this front four will also be about getting breakout seasons from second- and third-year players in a new scheme. The more traditional alignments that Zimmer is expected to use has given new hope to nose tackle Mazi Smith as 2023’s first-round pick, but the same should go for fourth-round pick Junior Fehoko. Taking a true development year with experienced names ahead of him on the depth chart as a rookie, the pass rusher out of San Jose State now has a much better chance of getting in the rotation and making a name for himself in 2024.

Fehoko did spend most of his rookie season on IR with a knee injury. Activated at the end of the season, Fehoko is a bit undersized to play on the interior in the NFL, but had the speed and explosiveness to be a project in a defense that emphasized these traits under Quinn. Fehoko will still have a chance to show off his pass rush ability in Zimmer’s defense, with snaps up for grabs on both the interior and edge. This is a player that’s comfortable along the line of scrimmage, playing in tight spaces and flipping his hips well to run sideline-to-sideline defending the run.

More: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...view-junior-fehoko-defensvie-line-mike-zimmer

This team will need all of the past 3 years Where's Waldo's to actually play like an NFL caliber player.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Round 2 Pick 56 - DE Marshawn Kneeland Western Michigan

I'd be surprised if a rookie is better on Day 1

I wasn't sure if I missed that Parsons would play more or exclusively at DE, but with Zimmer I actually think he'll play more LB

 

[America's Cowboy]

I don't have much faith in Junior Fehoko. His college highlights tape was not that impressive.

 

[xwalker]

Am I missing something? If Williams gets the first crack at the Fowler role, who’s playing Armstrong’s role as the starter?

Armstrong was not a starter...

 

[conner01]

Id be very surprised of he gets more than 150 defensive snaps this year

Hopefully he’s like Armstrong. He wasn’t a super star but he improved every year and became a solid player

 

[conner01]

Armstrong was not a starter...

And starting doesn’t mean much on dline because of rotations. Hopefully this kid can do what Armstrong did and get better year over year. We need a bunch of guys to do that and some rookies to be second year ready right now lol

 

[KingintheNorth]

Round 2 Pick 56 - DE Marshawn Kneeland Western Michigan

Meh.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I don't have much faith in Junior Fehoko. His college highlights tape was not that impressive.

Try hard tweener.

See also Golston and Kneeland.

 

[America's Cowboy]

Try hard tweener.

See also Golston and Kneeland.

Heed your own advice. Golston has hardly been better than Junior Fehoko. Kneeland is unknown but his college tape looks promising.

 

[75boyz]

Didn't we try developing his brother Simi as a WR for a couple of years?

Could just be the Fehoko brothers are not quite up to playing at the NFL level.

jmo