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Predicting the Cowboys’ defensive end depth chart for 2022

By Brandon Martinez

Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) and outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) in action during the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) and outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) in action during the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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One of the most talked-about positions in the offseason for the Dallas Cowboys is their defensive end room. It has withstood a major departure and a few promising additions.

While everyone knows which departure I am referring to, it has been addressed in a couple of different ways. On March 18th, the team announced that they had signed Dorance Armstrong Jr. to an extension after an improved fourth season. Just three days later, the front office made another move, bringing in an outside free agent (I know, wow) in Dante Fowler Jr.

Leading up to the draft, there was a lot of chatter about interest from the Joneses in Ole Miss’s Sam Williams. It was clear the team was not done addressing the edge position, and they did not hide their cards well, if at all. It still worked out in their favor after they landed Williams in the second round of the draft.

Barring any low-end or big moves, the front office seems set on their pass rushers for this season. With a good amount of depth at the position, it doesn’t seem like the team will or will need to add any more players to the group. Now it’s time to figure out how the room will shape out. Who starts, who will rotate in, who makes the practice squad, and who gets the chop?

Predicting the Cowboys’ defensive end depth chart for the 2022 season

Jan 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) passes the ball under pressure from Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) and Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) passes the ball under pressure from Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) and Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Starters: DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong Jr./Micah Parsons

There is little to no debate about this part of the depth chart. DeMarcus Lawrence has his job on lockdown, so there is no debate there. The only part there really is to have a discussion about is the right defensive end spot.

With the loss of Randy Gregory, the Cowboys will more than likely look to Armstrong and Micah Parsons to fill that role. While I know you can’t “start” at two spots, I do think they will continue to use Parsons heavily on the edge, because Dan Quinn is a smart coordinator, and he knows how to get the most out of his players.

If we want to be more technical, then I will label Armstrong as the actual “starter”. The former fourth-round selection enjoyed a bit of a breakout season in 2021. He finished with career highs in tackles (37), tackles for loss (3), and sacks (5) and has earned his chance to become the replacement for Gregory.

Last season, Armstrong averaged around 39 snaps a game, and I would expect him to average 45-50 snaps per game next season as the full-time starter. However, with a deep room behind him, the leash on the Kansas alum may be short. Despite him more than likely beginning the season as the starter, it will be intriguing to see if he keeps his spot by midseason.

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