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Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams isn’t just battling for snaps, he’s fighting for his job.
With the Cowboys loading up on defensive line talent this offseason, Williams finds himself on the roster bubble. After missing last year with a devastating knee injury, he’s walking into OTAs knowing his NFL future hangs in the balance. The pressure couldn’t be higher – a strong showing over the next few weeks might be all that stands between him and the waiver wire.
From Promising Prospect to Roster Longshot
Once considered a draft-day steal in 2022, Williams brought freakish athletic traits to Dallas. At 6-foot-4 and 261 pounds with 4.46 speed in the 40, he looked like the perfect complement to the Cowboys’ pass rush. His rookie campaign delivered real promise – four sacks, 22 tackles (10 for loss), and nine QB hits in 15 games.
“He wasn’t just a rotational piece,” one team source noted. “We thought we had found our next defensive standout.”
But the NFL doesn’t care about potential.
Things unraveled quickly for Williams after that promising start. He served a suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, collected too many penalties, and showed what coaches privately described as questionable commitment to team discipline. The final blow came when he tore his ACL and partially tore his MCL, effectively erasing his 2024 season.
Edge Rusher Room Gets Crowded
Dallas didn’t sit still while Williams rehabbed. They’ve stacked their defensive end rotation with talent from various sources – bringing back veteran Dante Fowler Jr., adding former first-rounder Payton Turner, and drafting rookies like Donovan Ezeiruaku who’s already turning heads at practice.
Let’s not forget about Marshawn Kneeland either. Last year’s draft pick has already carved out meaningful snaps in the rotation.
The harsh reality? With Micah Parsons dominating as the team’s premier pass rusher, everyone else is fighting for scraps. Williams – once viewed as a core piece – is now buried on the depth chart. He’s currently slotted as a third-string player on ESPN’s Cowboys depth chart.
That’s not where second-round picks are supposed to end up by year three.
No Safety Net Remains
The Cowboys have made their priorities clear heading into 2024 – they want youth, speed, and affordable contracts. With cap space at a premium, players carrying injury concerns (not to mention off-field baggage) find themselves on shaky ground.
For Williams, the margin for error has completely evaporated. Dallas has shown they’re willing to move on quickly when a player doesn’t produce.
It’s time to perform – or make way for someone who will.
NFL’s Brutal Reality
The defensive line might be the most ruthlessly competitive position group in football. Teams cycle through edge rushers constantly, always hunting for the next undiscovered gem or bargain veteran.
If your contract outweighs your production or your health remains questionable, you become expendable. Jerry Jones and the front office need roster flexibility heading into training camp and preseason.
Williams’ production simply hasn’t justified his draft position. In today’s crowded position room, the leash is incredibly short. Once you’ve been flagged for injuries, suspensions and off-field issues, your roster spot is anything but guaranteed.
The OTA Checklist
If Williams hopes to survive final cuts, he’ll need to check every box during these crucial practice sessions:
• Physical health: Demonstrate full recovery from the ACL/MCL tears that sidelined him
• Explosiveness: Show that same burst off the edge that made him a second-round selection
• Scheme understanding: Prove he can execute assignments in the defensive system
• Pass-rush productivity: Create consistent pressure and collect “practice sacks” during team drills
• Mental discipline: Eliminate the penalties and mental errors that frustrated coaches previously
This is do-or-die time for Williams. The Cowboys have repeatedly shown they’ll move on from recent draft picks if they don’t deliver. Raw athleticism alone won’t save his job anymore.
If he fades into the background during these practices, don’t expect to see #54 on the sideline come September. This feels like his final opportunity to prove he belongs in Dallas.
The clock is ticking.
