Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams could be ready for a larger role entering his second season.
Coming out of college in 2021, Williams was an All-SEC first-team and third-team AP All-American who left Ole Miss after recording 12.5 sacks, 57 tackles, [16 of which went for a loss], a touchdown and four forced fumbles in 13 starts.
Now, CowboysWire recently highlighted Williams as a player with the potential to take major strides in 2023 following a solid rookie season. … though we at CowboysSI.com need to add as asterisk here.
After being selected in the second round of last years draft, Williams was used sparingly. As a rookie, Williams played less than 30 percent of Dallas' defensive snaps, but he still managed to get after quarterbacks in a hurry as proven by his 10 tackles for a loss. Amongst Cowboys last season his four sacks and 11 pressures were both tied for sixth.
“There were moments it was easy to see Williams’ potential with his explosive get off and power. … But as is usually the case with a rookie, there wasn’t enough consistency in Williams’ play,” CowboysWire said.
All true. Also true: The Cowboys believe Williams can make the leap to being a helper on a level with Dorance Armstrong … in a rotation behind fellow pass-rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. (Dante Fowler deserves mention here as well.)
A consistent Williams - who has talked of a lofty goal of 10 sacks - building on the All-American form he had while playing in college and on his rookie season? The foundation can be there.
But … while the Cowboys drafted Williams after being satisfied with some behavioral red flags, sources inside The Star still hope for improved personal maturity for the 24-year-old. Put all of that together, and yes, offenses could be in for sleepless nights when facing Dallas after already having to prepare for a defense littlered with established All-Pro players such as Parsons.
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