Heading into training camp, one of the biggest questions on the Cowboys’ defense. Who would be the starting defensive end opposite of Demarcus Lawrence? The Cowboys had multiple guys to choose from, but Dorance Armstrong was the favorite heading into camp. He might still be the favorite, but second-round pick Sam Williams makes the decision difficult. His performance at camp so far has been extremely impresive.
Coaches Are Taking Notice:
According to many coaches, Sam Williams has been one of the standouts at camp, and he has performed so well that Demarcus Lawrence even said Williams had “more tools” than he did coming into the league. Before the Cowboys drafted Williams, I felt he could be a first-round talent. Whenever I would tune into an Ole Miss game last year, Sam Williams would jump off the screen. He seemed to be playing at a different speed a lot of the time, and his innate ability to bully his way into sacks was something I fell in love with.
Williams has excellent feet, and his 4.46 40 showed how good of an athlete he is for his size. He goes about 6’4″ 260, so his power goes a long way to him, causing havoc as a pass rusher and a terror in the run game. Williams had 15 tackles for loss last year to go along with 12.5 sacks. The production was phenomenal, which was part of why I was surprised he fell late into the second round. Many of the issues cited with Williams were that he’s very limited in how he rushes the passer. He doesn’t have many moves and relies on his superior athleticism and strength.
Still Some Challenges To Face:
The issue regarding his lack of moves is one many young guys have come into the league. So many of these guys are so superior athletically they don’t take the time to learn those moves. The coaching staff will mold him into a more polished pass rusher, but right now, I think he’s exceeded the team’s expectations for him. I think the Cowboys saw Williams as a rotational piece today and somewhat of a project. But I think he has a real chance to start and be highly productive this year. If Williams isn’t the starter in week 1, he will get a large chunk of playing time that will only grow over time.
In Conclusion:
The Cowboys’ defense is the deepest it’s been in years, and I think the depth starts at the defensive line. If the unit is healthy, they will spearhead a Cowboys defense that should finish in the league’s top half. The injection of youth should make this defense fun to watch, and with Dan Quinn leading the unit, every Cowboys fan should be excited for what they will do this season.
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