Although the Cowboys were not entirely inactive during the spring free agency period, they still have substantial tasks ahead after ending the 2024 season with a 7-10 record. They secured several vital players through free agency and trades, while also retaining some essential team members.

Nonetheless, there are individuals within the squad who must elevate their performance for the Cowboys to succeed in 2025. Today, we proceed with the Next Man Up series by focusing on defensive end Sam Williams. Name: Sam Williams Position: Defensive end Experience: 3 years (Games Played/Starts: 32/0) Contract Remaining: 1 year Origin: 2022 NFL Draft (2nd round) Key Statistic: 4.5 sacks in 2024 (personal best) Past: Drafted in the second round in 2022, Williams joined the Cowboys amid a crucial phase for the defensive line.

The departure of Randy Gregory, a controversial free agency exit, prompted the team to seek a replacement promptly. A record-setting sack expert from Ole Miss, Williams made an impressive debut for Dan Quinn, achieving four sacks as a rookie without starting any games. He surpassed this in his second year with 4.5 sacks, positioning him for a key role in Dallas alongside Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

Present: The anticipated breakout year for Williams, following the free agency departures of Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong to the Commanders, turned disastrous when he suffered an ACL tear during a routine non-contact drill at the outset of training camp in 2024, sidelining him for the entire season. Fowler has since returned to the Cowboys, but Lawrence has moved on to the Seahawks.

Future: As Williams gradually returns to action, he faces competition from Marshawn Kneeland, the 2024 second-round pick. However, Williams is more motivated than ever to make 2025 his standout season. His determination is evident, not just from his social media post declaring “my turn” after Lawrence’s departure, but also given the season’s significance for his career trajectory and contract prospects. It’s yet unclear whether Williams will start this year’s training camp on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list, but once he returns, anticipate a tenacious player hungry for success on every play.