Cowboys Sam Williams Ready To ‘Mature’ for Coach Dan Quinn?

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams could be ready for a larger role entering his second season.

Coming out of college in 2021, Williams was an All-SEC first-team and third-team AP All-American who left Ole Miss after recording 12.5 sacks, 57 tackles, [16 of which went for a loss], a touchdown and four forced fumbles in 13 starts.

Now, CowboysWire recently highlighted Williams as a player with the potential to take major strides in 2023 following a solid rookie season. … though we at CowboysSI.com need to add as asterisk here.

After being selected in the second round of last years draft, Williams was used sparingly. As a rookie, Williams played less than 30 percent of Dallas' defensive snaps, but he still managed to get after quarterbacks in a hurry as proven by his 10 tackles for a loss. Amongst Cowboys last season his four sacks and 11 pressures were both tied for sixth.

Sam Williams 2022 rookie sack highlights. Was able to make an impact in a limited role his first year in the NFL. He’ll get more opportunities in year two #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/o1nDxf0Ivr
— Ernie The Cowboys Fan (@es3_09) April 3, 2023

“There were moments it was easy to see Williams’ potential with his explosive get off and power. … But as is usually the case with a rookie, there wasn’t enough consistency in Williams’ play,” CowboysWire said.

All true. Also true: The Cowboys believe Williams can make the leap to being a helper on a level with Dorance Armstrong … in a rotation behind fellow pass-rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. (Dante Fowler deserves mention here as well.)

A consistent Williams - who has talked of a lofty goal of 10 sacks - building on the All-American form he had while playing in college and on his rookie season? The foundation can be there.

But … while the Cowboys drafted Williams after being satisfied with some behavioral red flags, sources inside The Star still hope for improved personal maturity for the 24-year-old. Put all of that together, and yes, offenses could be in for sleepless nights when facing Dallas after already having to prepare for a defense littlered with established All-Pro players such as Parsons.

You can follow Isaiah DeAnda Delgado on Twitter and Instagram @IsaiahDDelgado.

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