Jalen Dalton Bio
Jalen Dalton (born August 5, 1997) is an American professional football defensive end who has spent time across the National Football League, the XFL, and the United Football League. He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and listed around 300 pounds during his college years, Dalton has built his career on positional size, length, and the ability to play multiple spots along the defensive line.
Across his professional journey, Dalton has been associated with the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Sea Dragons, San Antonio Brahmas, and the Dallas Cowboys. His career has been marked by perseverance, as injuries and roster moves have repeatedly reshaped his path, yet he has continued to earn opportunities at multiple levels of professional football.
Early Life and Background
Jalen Dalton was born on August 4, 1997, in Clemmons, North Carolina, a small town in the Piedmont Triad region of the state. He grew up in the Forsyth County area and attended West Forsyth High School, where he quickly established himself as one of the most promising defensive line prospects in the region. His size and athleticism set him apart from peers early in his high school career, and he became a focal point of opposing game plans by his upperclassman seasons.
At West Forsyth High School, Dalton earned first-team all-state honors and was ranked as a top-tier recruit nationally. Rivals.com listed him as the fourth-best defensive end recruit in the country and the top overall player in the state of North Carolina. His combination of frame, motor, and upside drew attention from several college programs, and in November 2014 he announced his commitment to continue his football career at the University of North Carolina.
Path to American Football
Dalton’s path to professional football began on the varsity fields of West Forsyth High School, where his production and physical profile made him a priority recruit. His senior film showcased the pass-rush potential and run-defense fundamentals that college evaluators look for in a base defensive end, and his ranking among the nation’s elite defensive line prospects reflected the strength of his high school résumé.
Following his commitment to the University of North Carolina, Dalton transitioned into one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s most physically demanding programs. He entered college as one of North Carolina’s most highly rated defensive line recruits and was expected to contribute quickly along the Tar Heels’ front. His development through the UNC weight room and defensive scheme laid the foundation for the professional opportunities that would follow in 2019.
Jalen Dalton Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
During his early seasons at the University of North Carolina, Dalton worked to translate his high school upside into consistent college production. As a true freshman, he appeared in nine games and recorded 15 tackles, offering a glimpse of his potential. Coaches and analysts viewed him as lean for the position at roughly 250 pounds, prompting a structured plan to add mass and strength.
By the 2016 season, Dalton had reshaped his body, increasing his weight to around 290 pounds, and he responded with a full slate of appearances. He played in all 13 games, started two, and finished the year with 27 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a blocked kick, and a fumble recovery. These early college years built the base of technique and durability that would later support his transition to the professional level.
North Carolina Tar Heels Breakthrough (2017-2018)
Dalton’s junior season in 2017 marked a step forward in his role along the Tar Heels’ defensive line. He started three games and appeared in six more, finishing the year with 28 tackles, three sacks, and 8.0 tackles for loss, a total that ranked second on the team. His production in the backfield helped establish him as a reliable interior and edge presence for North Carolina.
As a senior, Dalton appeared in seven games and tallied 23 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss. Across his entire college career, he accumulated 93 total tackles and 6.5 sacks, a steady body of work that positioned him for a professional opportunity despite going unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears Era (2019)
After going unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft, Dalton was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent following a successful rookie minicamp. The opportunity represented his first entry into a professional locker room and a chance to prove that his college production could translate to the NFL level.
Dalton’s initial stint with the Bears was short. He was waived at the final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, but his release did not end his professional trajectory. Later that year, another NFL franchise would come calling and open the next chapter of his career.
New Orleans Saints Era (2019-2022)
On December 18, 2019, Dalton was signed to the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints, marking a fresh start within a contender in the NFC South. He was later signed to a futures contract on January 6, 2020, signaling the Saints’ intent to develop him within their defensive line room.
Dalton’s time in New Orleans was repeatedly disrupted by injuries. He suffered a season-ending injury in August 2020 and, in 2021, appeared headed toward a final roster spot before another season-ending injury cut his year short. He was released by the Saints on May 3, 2022, having not appeared in a regular-season game across his four seasons with the team.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022)
On June 16, 2022, Dalton signed with the Atlanta Falcons, looking to reset his career in another NFC South market. He suffered an injury during the preseason and was released with an injury settlement shortly afterward, a setback that briefly threatened his professional future.
Determined to continue, Dalton was re-signed to the Falcons’ practice squad on October 18, 2022. He was elevated to the active roster for a Week Eight game against the Carolina Panthers and made his NFL debut in the 37-34 win, recording one tackle. He was signed to the active roster on November 5 and finished the season with seven games played and 13 total tackles. He was waived on June 7, 2023.
Carolina Panthers, Seattle Sea Dragons, and San Antonio Brahmas (2023-2024)
On June 8, 2023, Dalton was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers, but he was waived with a failed physical designation just days later on June 12. The brief stint reflected the fragile nature of life on the NFL roster fringe and pushed Dalton to explore opportunities in spring and alternative professional football.
On October 30, 2023, Dalton signed with the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL, providing a platform to play competitive football again. The Sea Dragons later folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League. On January 5, 2024, Dalton was drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft. He was placed on injured reserve on May 14, 2024, pausing his on-field contributions with the Brahmas.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2024-Present)
On October 16, 2024, Dalton signed with the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, linking him to one of the NFL’s most visible franchises. The move offered a return to the league and a chance to compete within a defensive line room that has historically valued length and positional versatility, two traits Dalton has consistently brought to his teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dalton’s signature professional milestone came in the 2022 Week Eight win over the Carolina Panthers, when he made his long-awaited NFL debut and recorded his first career tackle. Across the 2022 season with the Atlanta Falcons, he totaled 13 tackles in seven games, his most extensive body of NFL regular-season work to date. His movement between the NFL and the UFL has also marked him as a player who has continued to find work in multiple professional football landscapes.
Jalen Dalton Family
Personal Life
Public information about Jalen Dalton’s personal life is limited, and details about his immediate family, marital status, and children have not been widely reported. He is widely described in available sources as an American professional football player, with most of the documented focus placed on his career journey rather than his private life. As a result, broader personal details are best left to be confirmed by future reporting.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Dalton’s standing with the Dallas Cowboys and the broader professional football landscape will depend on his health and his ability to translate his size and length into consistent on-field production. His 2024 trajectory, which included time with the San Antonio Brahmas and a late-year return to the Cowboys’ practice squad, suggests a player continuing to chase roster stability rather than a defined starting role.
If he can remain healthy, Dalton has the physical tools to compete for a depth spot along an NFL defensive line and to contribute on special teams. His prior NFL experience with the Atlanta Falcons, including seven games and 13 tackles in 2022, gives him a foundation to build on as he works to extend his career.
Looking ahead to 2025, the key storyline around Dalton will be whether his perseverance through injuries and roster turnover can finally translate into a sustained, multi-year NFL role. Regardless of the exact path, his continued presence in professional football speaks to the resilience that has defined his journey since leaving the University of North Carolina.