It took exactly a week of training camp for the Dallas Cowboys to make their first roster transaction. Following Saturday's practice, the team waived/injured outside linebacker Charles Snowden and signed offensive lineman Sebastian Guitierrez.
Signed to a one-year deal following a minicamp tryout, Snowden was handed a three-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. He was viewed as a dark horse to make the 53-man roster, but missing the first three games was always going to make that an uphill battle.
An updated look at the Cowboys' EDGE room shows that Sam Williams has a clear path to making the team:
- Rashan GaryÂ
- Donovan EzeiruakuÂ
- Malachi Lawrence
- James HoustonÂ
- Sam WilliamsÂ
- Marist Liufau
- Isaiah Land
Cowboys waiving Charles Snowden is excellent news for Sam Williams
If we are to assume the top four names are safe -- yes, that includes James Houston, who finished second on the team with 5.5 sacks last season -- Williams' competition is nothing to write home about.
Marist Liufau, for starters, is learning a completely new position after spending his first two seasons as an off-ball linebacker.
The transition should suit Liufau, who played too out of control to thrive inside at this level. Moving to the edge better fits his skill set, allowing him to attack downhill and collapse the pocket. Whether he has the technique to make the transition, however, is an entirely different question.
Isaiah Land is more polished than Liufau in that department, but he has one sack over three seasons and appeared in only one game in 2025, logging three defensive snaps and seven snaps on special teams. He needs to go scorched earth in camp and the preseason to make the team.
Sam Williams has a clear path to making Cowboys' 53-man roster
Liufau and Land bring unique skill sets to the table, but if Williams can't beat them out, when is he ever going to make his mark in Dallas?
Early returns from Oxnard have been overwhelmingly positive. Williams has stood out in team drills, flashing in coverage -- a requirement for OLBs under Christian Parker -- while consistently generating pressure off the edge. With padded practices starting on Monday, it will be paramount for Williams to continue this form.
Another thing working in Williams' favor is his experience on special teams. He has a history of playing a little out of control and committing costly penalties, but he's made real strides in that area. After being flagged four times in 2023, he wasn't penalized once over 143 special teams snaps last season, per Pro Football Focus advanced stats. He could end up a core player for Nick Sorensen.
If not for his suspension, Snowden likely would have made some noise in the pass rush battle. He started 18 games for the Raiders over the last two seasons, totaling five sacks and a 67.2 run-defense grade.
Without Snowden out of the picture, Williams simply has to keep doing what he's been doing to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. That is easier said than done, but he's looked great thus far.
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