3 draft prospects the Cowboys can get to replace Randy Gregory
After an unprecedented level of incompetence by the Dallas Cowboys‘ front office forced them to lose out on Randy Gregory, they are now stuck with a hole at edge rusher. They added some depth pieces in Dante Fowler Jr. and brought back Dorance Armstrong, but they certainly need more in order to keep up the defensive turnaround they did last year.
As always the Cowboys did not bother signing any of the top-tier edge rushers after they lost Gregory, so now they must look to the draft for a long-term solution. Luckily, there seem to be plenty of great options throughout the draft that could step in and help out Week 1. The problem remains that with so many gaps to fill (offensive line, defensive line, tight end, etc), who will Dallas prioritize? Here are some edge rusher options for the Cowboys in the NFL Draft.
3 defensive end options the Cowboys can target to replace Randy Gregory
3. Sam Williams, Ole Miss
The first edge rusher that should interest the Cowboys is someone that can be selected on day two or three. This would allow the team to target a much-needed offensive lineman on day one. This DE is Sam Williams from Ole Miss. Williams has second-round talent but his off-field concerns could push him to the fourth.
Williams is a versatile defender who can play multiple spots in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s defense. But, he is best fit as an edge rusher chasing after the quarterback. Quinn and the Cowboys have already shown plenty of interest in Williams in the pre-draft process and even offered him one of their coveted 30 pre-draft visits.
#OleMiss DE Sam Williams' vertical jump was much better at the Rebels' Pro Day.
— Jon Sokoloff (@JonSokoloff) March 23, 2022
Combine: 32.5 inches
Today: 36 inches
Williams on the Cowboys:
"They're on me a lot. Mr. Jones said he needs another Micah Parsons. I'd love to be a Cowboy."
His son joined him and it was great. pic.twitter.com/AJq06TmzbA
This past season at Ole Miss, Williams recorded 31 solo tackles, four forced fumbles, and an outstanding 12.5 sacks. He did this playing in the SEC against some of the top offensive lineman in the nation.
Williams is a great mix of speed and strength which helps him win as a pass-rusher but he needs to find a go-to pass-rush move. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine which is outstanding for a 261-pound player.
His talent and traits should land him somewhere on day twom and the Cowboys would love for him to fall to their third-round pick (88th overall).