Cowboys over/under: 8 sacks for Sam Williams
When Dan Quinn became the head coach of the Washington Commanders, an exodus of former Cowboys and “DQ guys” joined him. While an offensive piece was on the move, the most of the leaving talent came from the defensive side of the ball. Such transition has provided opportunities for those who remain, and Sam Williams sees this as a fantastic opportunity for progress as he enters his third season. 2024 is a year of opportunity for Williams, and with his best chance yet, it might result in career numbers for the pass rusher.
Can Sam Williams almost double his previous high in sacks?
Between Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler, the Cowboys are losing out on 11.5 sacks from last season. Armstrong finished 2023 with 7.5 while Fowler had four. That production will need to come from somewhere else. Williams won’t be called upon to fill the gap of two outgoing players, but he is certainly in line to be the biggest beneficiary of their departures.
Williams set a career-high in 2024 with 4.5 sacks on the season, following his rookie year where he finished with four. The benchmark is significantly higher in 2024, justifiably.
The young pass rusher has always felt like a player waiting to break out, with his opportunities being limited by trusted veterans in front of him. However, when given the chance, it was evident that Williams was harvesting game-changing potential and would come in and show bits of incredible ability and athleticism.
On pure development and potential alone, Williams looks to be a player who deserved more opportunities than he got. Add in the fact that there is far less in front of him now, the talent looks to be finally meeting timing.
The questions surrounding Williams have never been about his ability, but about discipline and maturity. His impact on the game will be heightened, so naturally his ability to minimize bonehead penalties and mistakes will need to be too.
If his head is on straight, and this opportunity is something he plans to seize, there’s a world where he could eventually end up being the second-best pass rusher on the roster by year’s end. If so, then even eight sacks seem like a marginalized number, with double digits within reach. Even if you aren’t bought in on the over in this discourse, it’s reasonable to assume that production will organically rise just birthed by opportunity. This is a season when the Cowboys need Williams the most, and he could be another great example of the Dallas “draft and develop strategy” working out as planned. What say you BTB—over or under eight sacks for Williams in 2024?
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