The Dallas Cowboys are at a crossroads with their edge rusher unit, a group that boasts enviable depth but is clouded by uncertainty. With NFL All-Pro Micah Parsons embroiled in complex contract negotiations, the team faces tough decisions about its defensive lineup. One name generating buzz is Sam Williams, a 6’4″, 261-pound edge rusher whose potential trade could send shockwaves through the NFL, reshaping Dallas’ defense and offering Williams a chance to shine elsewhere.
A Talented Yet Crowded Depth Chart
The Cowboys’ edge rusher group is among the NFL’s most formidable. Anchored by Parsons, a three-time All-Pro, the unit includes proven veterans and promising young talent. However, this depth creates a logjam, with players like Dante Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland, and rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku vying for snaps. Sam Williams, a 2022 second-round pick (No. 56 overall), finds himself potentially buried on the depth chart despite his undeniable upside.
Williams missed the entire 2024 season due to a torn ACL and MCL suffered in training camp. In his first two seasons (2022-2023), he flashed potential with 8.5 sacks, showcasing the athleticism that made him a standout at Ole Miss. In his senior year with the Rebels in 2021, Williams recorded 57 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and a fumble return for a touchdown. His blazing 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine further cemented his status as a high-upside prospect.
Yet, with Fowler’s return after a 10.5-sack season with the Washington Commanders in 2024, and the addition of Ezeiruaku in the second round of the 2025 draft, Williams’ path to significant playing time in Dallas is murky. As Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder noted on July 24, “Williams might be buried on the depth chart … he would benefit from getting a chance to start and showcase what he can do with a bigger opportunity.”
Trade Rumors Swirl: A Fresh Start for Williams?
With Williams entering a contract year in 2025, trade speculation is heating up. Holder included Williams on his list of NFL players who could benefit from a “change of scenery,” arguing that another team with a thinner edge rusher group could unlock his potential. A trade could allow Williams to secure a starting role, boost his production, and position himself for a lucrative contract in the 2026 offseason.
Williams’ combination of size, speed, and pass-rushing prowess makes him an attractive trade target. Teams looking to bolster their defensive front could see him as a low-cost, high-reward option. His college production and athletic metrics suggest he could thrive with more opportunities, making a trade a win-win scenario: Dallas could acquire assets to address other roster needs, while Williams could land in a situation better suited to his skill set.
Could Williams Stay and Break Out?
Not everyone is ready to give up on Williams in Dallas. The Athletic’s Jon Machota pegged him as the Cowboys’ potential breakout player for 2025, citing his ideal build and athletic ability. “Williams holds the top spot here because his size and athletic ability are ideal for being an elite edge rusher,” Machota wrote. “If he’s healthy, he could be Dallas’ second-most productive pass rusher behind Micah Parsons.”
Williams’ recovery from his 2024 knee injury is a critical factor. He participated in individual drills during minicamp, signaling progress toward a full return. If he can regain his pre-injury form, he could challenge for a starting role opposite Parsons, especially if the Cowboys prioritize his development over Fowler’s veteran presence.
Dante Fowler: The Veteran Roadblock
Fowler, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, looms as the biggest obstacle to Williams’ ascent. After two productive seasons with Dallas (2022-2023), where he amassed 10.0 sacks as a rotational player, Fowler led the Washington Commanders with 10.5 sacks in 2024. Now back with the Cowboys, he’s poised to start opposite Parsons, leveraging his experience and proven production.
Fowler’s reliability—playing all 34 regular-season games in his prior Cowboys stint—gives him an edge over Williams, who has yet to prove he can stay healthy and consistent. However, at 30 years old, Fowler may not offer the long-term upside of the 26-year-old Williams, adding another layer of intrigue to Dallas’ roster decisions.
A Daring Move With High Stakes
Trading Williams could be a bold, game-changing move for the Cowboys. It would free up snaps for younger players like Kneeland and Ezeiruaku while potentially netting draft capital or a player to address needs elsewhere, such as the offensive line or secondary. However, parting with a talent like Williams carries risk. If he blossoms into a star elsewhere, Dallas could regret the decision, especially if Parsons’ contract situation disrupts the defense’s cohesion.
Alternatively, keeping Williams and investing in his development could solidify the Cowboys’ edge rusher group as the NFL’s best. A healthy Williams, paired with Parsons and Fowler, could create a relentless pass-rushing trio, overwhelming opposing offenses.
What’s Next for Dallas?
As training camp unfolds, all eyes will be on Williams’ recovery and performance. If he proves he’s back to full strength, the Cowboys may face a tough choice: keep a talented player in a crowded room or trade him for assets that could reshape their roster. Either way, the decision will have ripple effects on Dallas’ defense, which is poised to remain a strength in 2025.
For now, the Cowboys are weighing their options, with Williams’ future hanging in the balance. A trade could unlock his potential and reshape Dallas’ defense, but it’s a high-stakes gamble that will define their season—and perhaps their future.