Full analysis of the Cowboys’ second-round draft pick (No. 56 overall pick):
Name: Sam Williams
Position: On the defensive
Universidad: Ole Miss
Height Weight: 6-3 / 261
Resume: He’s extremely athletic for a quarterback rusher, including his 4.46 time in the 40-yard dash and a 36-inch vertical jump. On the field, he had 12.5 sacks for Ole Miss in 2021, breaking a 31-year-old Mississippi single-season record.
Williams’ downside is some off-field issues that led to a suspension from Ole Miss in 2020 after a sexual assault arrest, though the charges were dropped and he was later reinstated. But that likely scared off a lot of teams, causing him to drop to the second round. Just like a year ago, when the Cowboys drafted a player like Josh Ball, the team has done its own evaluation and is obviously comfortable with his character to select him in the second round.
How it fits: Anytime you can get a player with the edge rush ability, that’s a win. And that’s how the Cowboys must feel about adding Williams, even though they signed Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong in free agency. They lost Randy Gregory and who knows how often Micah Parsons will be rushing off the edge. But Williams gives them another player who can do that. He wouldn’t have to start right away, but he would find a role in different packages.
Informs of Kyle Youmans: A three-year star on defense at Ole Miss, Williams overcame a difficult background and little recruiting attention out of high school to become one of the most feared defenders in the SEC. His 6-foot-3 frame and long arms are ideal for the position, while he displays a 4.46 sprint speed and overall athleticism off the rim. He earned first-team All-SEC honors his senior year and, as off-field concerns have been resolved, he continues to be categorized as an immediate contributor in the league.
Next selection of the Cowboys: 3rd round (global selection No. 88)
