Dallas Cowboys: Connor Williams injury opens door for improvement

Normally, an injury would damage a positional unit. But the injury suffered by Connor Williams might actually improve the Dallas Cowboys offensive line.

The Dallas Cowboys are known for the massive investment they’ve made in their offensive line. Three of their perennial Pro Bowlers were all former first-round selections. Those stars being right guard Zack Martin, left tackle Tyron Smith, and center Travis Frederick.

Projected first-round selection, right tackle La’el Collins, signed with the Cowboys’ as likely the greatest undrafted free agent of all-time back in 2015. In his fifth-year in Dallas, Collins is having a legitimate Pro Bowl season.

The weak link among this stellar unit is second-year left guard Connor Williams. Projected as a possible first-rounder as well back in 2018, Williams fell to the Cowboys as the 50th overall selection in the second round.

After starting his first eight games as a rookie at left guard, the then 21-year old lost his starting job to fellow former second-rounder Xavier Su’a-Filo following a knee injury. This offseason, Williams focused on getting stronger and gained a reported 15-pounds.

Williams re-earned his starting role for the 2019 season and has started in the Cowboys last nine games, with mixed results. Pro Football Focus has given him a poor rating of 59.4 overall, ranking as the 37th best player at his position.

Many believed the Cowboys might be better off replacing Williams along the offensive line with either Su’a-Filo or veteran backup Joe Looney. That included DallasCowboys.com longtime staff writer Nick Eatman. Here’s what Eatman said during the Cowboys Break podcast this past Monday.

"“This is just me and no one’s said this. but I’ve said this for awhile: Connor Williams, to me, is a problem at left guard. I don’t think he’s good enough right now to do what they want to do.”"

On Tuesday, the Cowboys announced Williams would require arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to miss games due to the injury. Last year, it was a right knee injury that cost him his starting gig. Once again, Su’a-Filo is expected to start in Williams’ place at left guard against the Detroit Lions in Week 11.

Connor Williams may be destined to become the Dallas Cowboys swing tackle regardless. The Cowboys drafted Penn State center/guard Connor McGovern in the third round of the 2019 draft. But a pectoral injury has sidelined McGovern this season. But if he is able to secure the left guard spot at some point, shifting Williams to be the primary backup to Tyron Smith and La’el Collins makes the most sense.

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