Dallas Cowboys rookie fits right in during first padded practice

The Dallas Cowboys kicked off training off on Saturday with their first padded practice. And this highly-touted rookie fits right in from the start.

The Dallas Cowboys surprised many when they opted to use their second-round pick on yet another offensive lineman. This after the Cowboys have elected to use three first-round selections since 2011 on their O-Line.

Luckily for Dallas, those three top picks have resulted in three perennial Pro Bowlers. Those All-Pro’s being left tackle Tyron Smith, center Travis Frederick, and right guard Zack Martin. Throw in right tackle La’el Collins, who would have likely been a first-round pick back in 2015.

So the thought of spending another high draft pick on the offensive line seemed superfluous. Yet, the Cowboys found themselves in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft with Texas guard Connor Williams still on the board.

Touted as a possible first-round pick, Williams dropped into the Cowboys lap at the 50th overall selection and Dallas opted to pull the trigger. By adding the former Longhorn to their talented line, the Cowboys essentially secured their starting left guard position that was occupied by Jonathan Cooper last season. Cooper now plays for the San Francisco 49ers.

At Texas, Williams started at left tackle as a true freshman. He would go on to earn All-American honors during his sophomore season. A knee injury hindered the back end of Connor’s college career and that is likely one of the reasons why he fell to the Cowboys in the draft.

According to longtime DallasCowboys.com columnist Mickey Spagnola, it was the Cowboys second rounder that looked right at home along the offensive line during the team’s first padded practice at training camp on Saturday.

"“First day of pads. Rookie with the first-team offensive line. Connor Williams fit right in. Stoned guys in team pass drills. Stoned guys in the one-on-one pass-rush drills. Relentless run blocking. Actually, an impressive first day for the second-round draft choice.”"

Sandwiched between Pro Bowlers Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick, Connor Williams is in the perfect position as a rookie. Learning from some of the best players in the NFL, Williams appears to have a bright future ahead of him. And on Saturday, he kicked off his professional career fitting right in along this talented offensive line.