Welcome to the rest of the season / deep dynasty profile for Cowboy’s Defensive End Sam Williams.
Sam Williams, Defensive End
Right about now, Cowboys fans have to be excited. After all, on film, many teams would have started a talent like rookie defensive end Sam Williams way before now. The late second-rounder has impressed in limited action in rotation and has shown well above positive on film and production. That is if we consider the minimal amount of weekly snaps of around 30% percent as of Week 12.
The one thing that has held him back? It’s obvious — those solid veterans start in front of him. After all, they have stud DE DeMarcus Lawrence and solid up-and-coming Dorance Armstrong, a four-year journeyman who waited for his turn for his time to shine. Just to add a beast of a linebacker/edge rusher, Micah Parsons, to the mix as an edge rusher.
We also can see why IDP and Cowboy fans may have to wait for Sam Williams for the rest of this season barring any injury, or maybe if they start cutting snaps for the veterans for playoff prep. But other than that. They seem determined to keep Williams as the third or fourth DE option right now. That’s counting veteran Dante Fowler, and at least while they make a run for the NFL 2022 championship.
Deep Dynasty Profile
First, as of Week 12 in 2022 among the rookies, Sam Williams ranks first among the rookie edge rushers with a minimum bar set of 50 snaps played. According to PFF, he grades first off the edge, including second in the pass-rush win and run-stop percentage. Also, first in average depth of tackle versus the run, fourth in total stops, and third overall in sacks. As I said, impressive.
So far as this hot take-deep dynasty profile is concerned, Williams has a great IDP future. But as we covered in the rest of the season portion of this article, it all hinges on what the Cowboys do this coming off-season with the veterans. But mainly with Dorance Armstrong, which is the only DE with a potential out in his contract that Dallas could exercise that really matters.
Other than that, it’ll take Williams a year or two to completely get a shot to become Dallas’ number one DE. Based on DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons’ contracts, that’s even if they let Armstrong walk. And likely even included if they flip the switch and give Williams a larger portion of the rotation next year.
It’ll always be capped by either of those two higher-end edge rushing studs, Lawerence and Parsons. Because, in the end, there is only so much IDP production to be had in each game. And Parsons and Lawerence are locked as key defenders off the edge in Dallas for now. So Sam Williams will just have to wait his turn. But holy cow, when he does. Especially after growing a little older and developing his NFL prowess even more.
Like to see a similar IDP profile? Then check out the 49er’s defensive end Drake Jackson.
Thank you for checking out Cowboy’s Defensive End Sam Williams’s IDP profile. If you’re interested, catch more of my Tipster fantasy football and NFL IDP content on Twitter at @TheIDPTipster, or find all my future IDP Guys content at IDPGuys.org. Let’s chat! I’ll always find time to talk defensive player football anytime.