xwalker
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Aaron Donald (6-1, ~290) plays as a 3-4 DE.Osa and Gholston aren’t big enough to 2 gap. Heck Gholston played as a 4-3 DE in college.You need huge dudes that have a ton of length.
Parsons also doesn’t have the size / frame to be an outside backer. He’s below average in setting an edge so it’d be a complete was if our most talented player.
- Playing 3-4 DE on run downs actually makes Donald a better run defender than playing as a 4-3 DT. It's also less of a physical strain on him.
- He moves back to 3tech DT in most passing downs.
Modern era 3-4 defenses often don't play 2-gap with the DEs. Getting double-teamed is not the same as playing 2-gap.
Examples
Wade Phillips: Modern Era 3-4
Bill Parcells: Classic 3-4
Cam Heyward is 295 pounds and is the top 3-4 DE vs the run.
Jason Hatcher was 284 when drafted and played 3-4 DE for the Cowboys with Parcells, Wade and Rob Ryan.
Odighi & Golston are both about 290+ now based on their own answers when asked that question by the media in training camp.
The Cowboys could also play Bohanna and Watkins as 3-4 DEs on some run downs. Belichick has done that in the past with players like DT Lawrence Guy (315) and DT Danny Shelton (345).