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UDFA Tommy Dunn Jr. faces long odds on crowded Cowboys D-line
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- UDFA Tommy Dunn Jr. faces long odds on crowded Cowboys D-line
In a couple of weeks, the Dallas Cowboys will head to Oxnard, California, for training camp. The team features a brand-new defensive coaching staff alongside a wave of fresh faces, including seasoned veterans and hungry rookies. One of those rookies fighting to make the 53-man roster is a DFW native (Garland, Texas) and former Kansas defensive lineman, UDFA Tommy Dunn Jr.. In his senior season for the Jayhawks, Dunn recorded 26 total tackles (12 solo, 14 assisted), three tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one blocked kick in 12 games.
Tommy Dunn Jr. Pro Day Measurements
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Height: 6-foot-3
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Weight: 291 pounds
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Arm Length: 31 3/4 "
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40-yard dash: 5.09 seconds
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Bench: 31 reps
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Vertical Jump: 29"
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20-yard split: 2.94 seconds
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10-yard split: 1.75 seconds
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Shuttle: 4.6 seconds
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Broad Jump: 90'1"
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Games Watched: vs Arizona , vs Mizzou
Strengths
Dunn is known for his relentless motor and active hands to find the ball. On film, you rarely see his legs stop moving as he wears down blockers to get to the ball carrier. His interior disruption was on full display during the Border War game against Mizzou. In that matchup, he relentlessly collapsed the pocket to generate four pressures, brought down the quarterback for a crucial sack, and showed off his special teams value by blocking a Missouri extra point. Dunn's sub-300-pound frame makes him highly valuable as a pass-rushing asset and field-goal disruptor.
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Weaknesses
Dunn's sub-300-pound frame does benefit him in the pass-rush game, but it limits him as a run stopper. While he has shown he can excel against single blockers, handling the heavy double teams he will face in the NFL is a different beast. He needs to prove he can anchor down, drop his weight, and hold his ground rather than getting pushed off the ball when standard zone-blocking schemes hit him from the side. As a pass-rusher, he is currently limited to pure hustle and raw power, which are fine traits to have. However, he needs a more polished arsenal of secondary counters like a reliable swim or rip move to cleanly disengage and finish the play if he wants to stick at the next level.
Where does he fit on the Cowboys?
Dunn's journey to making this roster is going to be a difficult one, especially given how aggressive the front office has been. Over the past couple of years, the Cowboys have built an incredibly deep defensive line, highlighted by landing impact players like Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams via trade, drafting LT Overton in the fourth round, and signing veterans like Jonathan Bullard and nose tackle Otito Ogbonnia .
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With five players essentially locked into that rotation, Dunn is likely fighting for the final spot. Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker has made it clear he's looking for specific versatility within his scheme, meaning Dunn's best path to the 53-man roster is likely an impressive camp leading to a practice squad role. From there, he'll need to continue developing as a pass rusher while proving he can provide enough value as a run-stopper to earn a call-up.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: UDFA Tommy Dunn Jr. faces long odds on crowded Cowboys D-line
