Bleacher Report deemed this Cowboys DE the team’s ‘best-kept secret’

When the Dallas Cowboys let Randy Gregory slide to the Denver Broncos, a huge vacancy was left in the locker room. Gregory was an impactful defensive end and figuring out who will fill in for him will be tough. Right now, the race for who will line up with DeMarcus Lawrence is likely between rookie Sam Williams, new Cowboy Dante Fowler Jr., and soon-to-be fifth-year Cowboy Dorance Armstrong.

According to a recent article on Bleacher Report, writer Maurice Moton thinks that Armstrong is the Cowboys’ best-kept secret on the roster. Here’s what Moton had to say about the former fourth-rounder:

"“Armstrong stands out because the Dallas Cowboys re-signed him on a two-year deal after they lost Gregory, and he’s coming off his best season, logging 37 tackles, three for loss, five sacks and 22 pressures. With a year in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s system, Armstrong could build on a solid 2021 in which he served as a rotational defensive end through 13 games (five starts). Armstrong will face stiff competition from the recent early-round draft picks and Fowler, who played under Quinn with the Falcons, but he’s headed into his prime on a multiyear deal after a fairly productive campaign. The fifth-year pro seems like he’s on the rise.”"

You may also remember Armstrong as the guy who Stephen Jones previously said was “right there from a production standpoint” in comparison to Gregory. Although that statistically was not factual, it clearly shows that the Joneses also feel that the defensive end has a chance to make a real impact on this team moving forward and that his value is underappreciated. The 24-year-old is ready to take advantage of the chance to earn a starting role.

Bleacher Report names Dorance Armstrong the Cowboys’ “best-kept secret” heading into 2022

In theory, Moton has a point. It’s certainly not like teams are in their film rooms planning for Armstrong like they are for Lawrence and Micah Parsons. He isn’t the biggest name or most feared player on the roster. However, if he does take advantage of Gregory’s absence, he can certainly have a sneaky breakout year.

If nothing else, Armstrong will get far more reps than last year. It’s likely that Williams, Fowler Jr., and Armstrong will rotate reps until the team can solidify who should be the sure-fire starter. The former Jayhawk also has to outshine second-year defensive end Chauncey Gholston who now has an NFL season under his belt. He certainly has an advantage as the player with the most time in the Cowboys system. Williams is a rookie and Fowler (although he has worked with Dan Quinn in the past) is new to Dallas. The defensive end is also coming off his best NFL year with 5.0 sacks, 37 tackles, six TFLs, 20 QB hits, and two fumble recoveries.

Williams may be getting more attention as a new addition who is clearly well-liked by Quinn and the rest of the front office, but the newcomer will have to prove himself in Training Camp. Armstrong certainly has the upper hand in this situation, and stepping up this offseason will be crucial. Will his fifth year be his best year yet? Or, will Armstrong fall into the shadows behind two new teammates?