Dallas Cowboys: 5 biggest questions following their big win
#2. Did Xavier Su’a-Filo outperform Connor Williams?
The Cowboys made a shocking decision in the draft when they used their second-round selection on Texas offensive lineman Connor Williams. For Dallas, it’s seemed like overkill. They’ve already invested three first-round selections on their offensive line since 2011. And the signing of free agent offensive tackle La’el Collins in 2015 was like getting a fourth first rounder.
With other positions of need to address, like wide receiver and safety, the Cowboys opting to add yet another high draft pick to their offensive line was a major concern. Especially after news leaked that Dallas could have traded that pick to the Seattle Seahawks for All-Pro safety Earl Thomas.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, the rookie left guard has struggled at times this season and has been a liability at times. The absence of All-Pro center Travis Frederick certainly hasn’t aided in Williams’ development. With the recent firing of offensive line coach Paul Alexander, this is suddenly a positional group that could go south quickly.
But the Cowboys played well Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles’ stout front seven. And that was without Williams in the lineup, who was out due to a knee injury. In his place was former 2014 second rounder Xavier Su’a-Filo, who was signed by Dallas back in September.
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With Su’a-Filo playing in place of Williams, running back Ezekiel Elliott was able to average a whopping 7.9 yards per carry and racked up 151 yards on 19 rushing attempts plus two total touchdowns. It was likely Zeke’s best all-around performance this season.
Although quarterback Dak Prescott was sacked four times, Su’a-Filo didn’t seem to be a direct result of those negative plays. On the one snap where his man was partly responsible for the sack, Prescott held the ball for longer than four seconds in the pocket.
The main point here being Su’a-Filo seemed to do a good job as the team’s starting left guard Sunday night against one of the better defensive fronts in the NFL. It wouldn’t be a big surprise if he leapfrogs Williams on the depth chart.