DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys rounded out their 2019 NFL draft class with the selection of Oregon Ducks edge defender Jalen Jelks with the 241st overall selection in Round 7.
What Jelks provides for the Cowboys is another insurance policy in case they don't get defensive end Randy Gregory back from suspension. Or, even if they do, Jelks could develop into becoming a replacement for either Gregory, whose contract is up after 2020, or defensive end Robert Quinn, whose contract expires after 2019.
The redshirt senior Jelks played outside linebacker in 2018 compared to defensive end from 2015-17. As an outside linebacker, Jelks produced 3.5 sacks after having a 7.0-sack season in 2017 while as a down lineman. Playing more in space, Jelks had a pass deflection and a forced fumble.
Jelks is 6-6, 252 pounds, right in the physical range of what the Cowboys like from their defensive ends. Jelks earned All-Pac 12 first team in 2018 and was second-team all-conference the year prior.
The Phoenix Desert Vista product was a sociology major at Oregon, which means he could have the intangibles to understand the whole Jason Garrett message and buy into what assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli are selling.
The odds are against Jelks to stay with the Cowboys for long, however. Of the 16 seventh-round picks the Cowboys have taken since 2010, only four ended up staying with the Cowboys beyond their rookie season. Jelks will have to prove his value and fight for reps if he hopes to stay in Dallas. Otherwise, he may be on the move again.
Now that it's in the books, how do you feel about the Dallas Cowboys' 2019 NFL Draft class? Give Mark a grade on Twitter @therealmarklane.
