The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2025 season believing their defensive end room had enough juice to survive stretches without Micah Parsons. Veterans and young talent alike were expected to carry the load, including Dante Fowler Jr., who arrived fresh off a 10.5-sack season, and rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku. But one of the more unexpected storylines came from Sam Williams.
Williams’ path back wasn’t smooth. After missing all of 2024 with a torn ACL, the former second-round pick looked rusty early in 2025. Through the first half of the season, he struggled to make an impact, posting a 39.9 PFF grade that ranked near the bottom among edge defenders.
For a player who totaled 8.5 sacks across his first two NFL seasons, the slow start raised legitimate questions about his future in Dallas.
Then something clicked. From Week 10 on, Williams quietly became one of the Cowboys’ most reliable edge defenders. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned an 80.6 grade over the second half of the season, the 11th-best mark at his position.
While he produced only nine pressures and finished the year with just one sack, his all-around play stood out. Williams logged 37 tackles, added 10 defensive stops, forced a fumble, and posted a 74.7 run-defense grade – 13th among NFL edge defenders.
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That run defense is the key development. Williams entered the league labeled as a pass-rush specialist, but his improved edge-setting and physicality against the run changed the narrative. For the Dallas Cowboys, that versatility matters.
With Williams set to hit free agency, Dallas faces a decision. A short-term, one-year deal could make sense, giving him another season fully removed from the knee injury. If his second-half growth carries over, the Cowboys may have more than just depth … they may have a quietly valuable piece for 2026.
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