Dallas Cowboys Focus on Defensive Overhaul Challenges Sam Williams’ Spot

The Dallas Cowboys have made significant changes to their defensive lineup during the offseason, especially in the pass-rusher department. They acquired Pro Bowler Rashan Gary through a trade, signed former All-Pro Von Miller, and drafted promising talents Malachi Lawrence and Jaishawn Barham. This influx of talent could potentially jeopardize the positions of existing defensive ends.

According to Gary Davenport from Bleacher Report, Sam Williams should be particularly concerned about his job security. Davenport suggests that Williams might be a candidate for release when the Cowboys trim their roster size. “Sam Williams once appeared to be an ascending young edge-rusher for the Dallas Cowboys,” Davenport stated. “… Williams may have to jump-start his career elsewhere. Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, rookie Malachi Lawrence and newly signed Von Miller appear to be locks for the 53-man roster.”

This roster shift might leave just one or two spots open for players like Williams, Marist Liufau, and James Houston. Notably, Liufau distinguishes himself as a core player in special teams. Davenport speculates that Williams, if cut, would be quickly recruited by another team, yet the current scenario with the Cowboys implies limited space for him.

Throughout his three seasons with the Cowboys, Williams amassed 85 tackles, 9.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles. He suffered a setback by missing the entire 2024 season due to an ACL injury in the preseason but managed to play all 17 games last year, though his impact was minimal with only one sack recorded.

Williams acknowledges the challenge posed by the newly bolstered Cowboys lineup but embraces it. He shared his reflective approach: “I took all the reports, all the negative comments, everything, and I looked at myself in the mirror because you can’t get better unless you know what you’re doing wrong,” Williams remarked. “So, everything that I’ve seen, I try to fix. Like even in my room, it’s written on the mirror.”

Williams is focused on improvement without placing blame externally. “At the end of the day, I just took all the negatives and, you know, look myself in the mirror. Not blaming no one else and just work. Just work, work, work. Put my head down and let my work speak for itself,” he emphasized.