Dallas Cowboys insider believes 7th rounder will make immediate impact

A Dallas Cowboys insider believes this hidden gem selected in the seventh round of the draft will have an immediate impact at an uncertain position.

Since 2014, the Dallas Cowboys have drafted 12 players in the seventh round of the NFL draft (this year’s draft excluded). Of those 12, only one is currently on the roster. That’s Ohio State wide receiver Noah Brown, who is far from a lock to make the final-53 this summer.

The point being it is rare that a player taking in the final round of the draft sticks around long enough to make an impact. Many don’t even make it past their first training camp.

Of course, there are exceptions. For instance, defensive tackle Jay Ratliff was a seventh-round selection back in 2005. More recently, tight end Geoff Swaim did a solid job as a former seventh-rounder, leaving Dallas this offseason as a free agent to join the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But more often than not, prospects selected in the seventh round don’t make the team. So when a Cowboys’ insider makes the bold claim that a final round pick will not only make the active roster as a rookie but also have an impact on the upcoming season, it’s certainly newsworthy.

According to Nick Eatman, longtime staff writer for DallasCowboys.com, he believes one of the prospects taken by Dallas in the seventh round of this year’s draft, Oregon defensive end Jalen Jelks, will not just make the cut, but he might be able to earn himself a role on the defense.

"” I think Jalen Jelks is going to be the surprise of this class and will make an immediate impact … because of the uncertainties at this position, there will be plenty of reps to go around at defensive end and I’ve got a hunch Jelks will take advantage the most. He’s got some length and burst around the edge. I’ve got him making the team and wouldn’t be surprised if he’s active Week 1.”"

As a junior, Jelks had a breakout season for the Ducks, posting an impressive stat-line of 59 combined tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, and seven pass defends in 13 games. His numbers dropped off slightly as a senior in 2018 and his light frame (6-foot-5, 256 pounds) had some NFL team unsure where they’d play him. But his length combined with his speed could make him a viable rotational rusher in Rod Marinelli’s substitution-heavy defensive scheme.

Certainly, the defensive end position in Dallas is open to someone stepping up and earning themselves a role this summer. Last year’s starters, DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory, will not be participating at training camp (at least to start).

Lawrence is recuperating from shoulder surgery and should start camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. As for Gregory, he’s currently serving an indefinite suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

The Dallas Cowboys also traded for pass rusher Robert Quinn this offseason. But you have to believe Dallas will limit the 29-year old veteran during both training camp and the preseason in an attempt to save him for when the games actually count. Their combined absence means more reps for players like Jalen Jelks and fellow rookie Joe Jackson. The seventh-round selection should get plenty of opportunities to make Mr. Eatman’s bold prediction a reality this summer.