Cowboys secure potential Gregory replacement with DE Sam Williams

In the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys picked a name that shocked many. In Round 2, America’s Team selected a much more familiar name with the 56th overall pick: Ole Miss DE Sam Williams. The Ole Miss product was one of the Cowboys’ 30 pre-draft prospect visits and has been heavily associated with Dallas for many weeks now.

Williams is 6-3, 261 pounds, and will now join a defensive line that certainly needs some assistance after losing Randy Gregory. Although the Cowboys added Dante Fowler Jr. and re-signed Dorance Armstrong this offseason, Williams will likely earn his way to a starting position on the line this summer. His presence will also allow Micah Parsons to have a more versatile role as a linebacker, which is exactly what Dallas wanted for the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022.

Although the Ole Miss product is a bit smaller than Gregory, he makes up for the lack of size in speed. Williams ran an impressive 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The SEC star has quick feet, powerful hands, and is a monster on the field.

Plus, he has shown that he can steadily improve. After joining the Ole Miss Rebels as a junior college transfer, he was an immediate starter in 2019. Last year, Williams ranked No. 2 in the SEC with 12.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. That’s a pretty impressive feat in a conference that has some top-tier defenders. Many believe this young gun has Pro Bowl potential given his success in the toughest conference in college football.

The Cowboys draft a potential replacement for Randy Gregory in Ole Miss DE Sam Williams

Unlike Smith, the Cowboys have shown interest in Williams from the start. Dan Quinn got hands-on with the draftee at his Pro Day and the team seemed to love him in his visit to Dallas. Speaking of Quinn, the defensive coordinator is probably thrilled to get his hands on another versatile player like Parsons. Williams has the ability to line up in multiple spots, but will likely be used mainly as a player who can threaten quarterbacks with his impressive speed.

Williams is an incredibly talented edge rusher who likely only fell this far because of some off-field issues. In 2020, the DE was arrested on sexual battery charges but was later released on $25,000 bail. Ironically, Stephen Jones said just a week ago that off-field character is a huge component of how the front office configures its big board. Clearly, these past issues weren’t enough to keep the Cowboys from selecting him.

Dallas fans are likely relieved to have both the offensive and defensive fronts covered in the first two rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. What’s next? Tight end? Wide receiver?