The Dallas Cowboys offseason has been one to forget, this roster is filled with players still on their rookie contracts, and one of them, Inpitucluar, has a golden opportunity to break out in 2024.
Sam Williams, the second-round pick out of Ole Miss in 2022, will have every chance in 2024 to make a name for himself.
Williams has had to fight for playing time in the last few years, but with Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong leaving via free agency, Williams will be needed this season.
Of the Cowboys' departures in free agency, Tyron Smith's is the one that hurts the most because of what they don't have on the roster. At least a case can be made for Brock Hoffman/Tyler Bass at center. Sam Williams, former second round pick, for Dorance Armstrong at DE.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 16, 2024
2024 Outlook
Last season, Williams ranked third on the team with 4.5 sacks and 17 quarterback pressures.
Williams also was a big name on special teams as a gunner. He was tied for the top spot with four special team tackles.
Sam Williams is big and fast. But the Cowboys are asking too much of a man his size to cover punts. He cant break down and change direction well enough to be doing this
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) December 31, 2023
The door is wide open for Williams in 2024. The Cowboys will likely draft a defensive player, but it will be in the later rounds, so Williams will have his chance to start this season.
Sam must show that he can be good against both the run and the pass. He only had two tackles for loss a season ago. The biggest thing for him to keep under control is the penalties.
With Mike Zimmer now calling plays, it should help. He isn’t there to be your friend; he is here to coach you.
He was third on the team in penalties and only played around 300 snaps. When he becomes a full-time star at the beginning of the season, these can’t happen.
Sam Williams with a needless and unwise penalty. Unfortunately not the first time.
Bones Fassel argues he was pushed, but the officials say it's a 15 yard penalty.
Packers will start at their own 24.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) January 14, 2024
DeMarcus Lawrence had over 600 snaps, while Parsons had 864, and they combined for only nine penalties. Williams will need to clean that up.
Williams has had some off-the-field issues, including last August, but since then, it seems like that has gotten better, so we will stay away from that.
If he comes into this season ready to work, puts in a lot of effort, and cleans up the penalties, he can help them, but showing up will not be enough.
Still Need More
This team still needs to fix other holes. The offensive line stinks; they have no running game and need a true third-wide receiver.
The draft can only do so much. You can only fill some possible holes they have with a handful of picks.
If they want to have any chance, they need to hit on the first three rounds at least; otherwise, this team could be in trouble by Thanksgiving.
I continue to say it because it is true.
Even Washington has improved, so if the Cowboys aren’t careful, they may find themselves third in the NFC East.
They could have very well cleared cap space by already completing deals with Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb and maybe extending Dak Prescott.
This might be the final year we see of him.
Look, at the end of the day Sam Williams will more than likely be needed this season due to the lack of depth they have on the defensive line now.
He will probably start and if he can clean up his penalties, put the work in, and show the front office he can be depended on, then look for him to be a breakout type player for the Cowboys this season.
He is getting a golden chance to prove it, and if he doesn’t take advantage this time around, then well, he probably won’t ever get another one like this.
I hope I am wrong about how I think this team is going to fair this season, but it is hard to see them being able to win another 12 games or even 10 with what they lost, and trying to add it with a handful of draft picks.
