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Dallas Cowboys: Connor Williams is the next Zack Martin

By Michael H. Vu

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Texas offensive lineman Connor Williams speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Texas offensive lineman Connor Williams speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Second round pick Connor Williams isn’t making waves for the Dallas Cowboys. Not yet, anyway. Could the big fella replicate himself into Zack Martin?

Oh no, not another offensive lineman. I hate to admit it but, this was an initial reaction by many in the Dallas Cowboys community.

Heading into the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cowboys were looking to fill many spots. Dez Bryant left a void in the wide receiver room. Jason Witten was on his way out of the tight end world and into the booth.

With the Cowboys snagging offensive lineman Connor Williams with the 50th overall pick, the organization left some talent on the board. James Washington out of Oklahoma State went 10 picks later to the Steelers. His wide receiver talents had the Dallas brass interested, but it wasn’t so.

Overall, three wide receivers were taken after the 50th pick to close out the second round.

Of course, the Dallas Cowboys grabbed a wideout in Michael Gallup in the third round. Gallup was the 81st overall pick.

There’s nothing sexy about a six-foot-six player, carrying 315 pounds worth of flesh. Offensive line picks don’t draw a crowd. Take the 2014 NFL Draft as a prime example. With the Cowboys on the clock, the world drew their eyeballs in to see if America’s Team would select quarterback Johnny Manziel with the 16th overall pick.

Then, the Cowboys sent a heat wave across the nation. Zack Martin was in. Johnny Manziel was misplaced, or in other words, he headed to a place called Cleveland. The Cowboys here made a splash by not making any splashes. They did the right thing when the betting world bet they would commit sin. But no, the Cowboys flipped the script and haven’t looked back.

Since taking offensive tackle Tyron Smith ninth overall in 2011, the Cowboys have drafted eight offensive linemen. Three of the eight are first-round picks who are playing at Hall of Fame levels. Alongside Williams is La’el Collins, a first-round talent who is looking to lock up his right tackle skills.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/990024145076408321

Obviously, the front line is good. Really good. But how good? Well, with the addition of Williams to the roster, the window just jammed up so it could expand. Now that the Cowboys are committing (again) to the offensive line, running back Ezekiel Elliott just got a new coat of paint to show off his muscle.

Quarterback Dak Prescott‘s job got a little easier too. Williams might not be the sexy pick we all want, but credit the big guy for making the sexy picks look good. The Cowboys are on a hot streak with the offensive line talent, and clearly, they’re not afraid to patch holes left behind by players like Chaz Green.

Dallas got it so right with Martin that his mega contract just makes mega sense. So, why not repeat the template?

Even the New York Giants are stealing from the Cowboys. They nabbed running back Saquon Barkley second overall, who they hope can turn into their version of Zeke Elliott. And with their next pick, they grabbed Will Hernandez, a guard out of UTEP who has wrinkles of someone with the talent of a first rounder.

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The Giants are trying to be like the Dallas Cowboys. It’s proof that Big D is marching to goodness with their draft picks. Connor Williams might not be the splashy pick, but his ingredients can help the Cowboys become special. Isn’t that what Zack Martin did?

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