The Dallas Cowboys have kissed goodbye to their offseason program and the players can unwind on their summer break but the competition for roster spots is still on.
Last week, America’s Team concluded their mandatory minicamp which marked the final checkpoint before the players can rest and re-energize for preseason.
Despite the players being on their break, the battle for starting spots and roster positions is still in full flow.
Individual training will still be taking place for all the players with Oxnard California just weeks away.
Dallas Cowboys embrace the summer break before their crucial trip to California
The Dallas Cowboys are set to report for preseason training on July 25th before camp officially begins on July 26 and runs through to August 15.
Jerry Jones has the stage set in Oxnard for an imperative preseason and the battlegrounds have already been drawn for the players.
This month will be vital for players to impress and increase their chances of making the final cut for the 53-man roster.
In addition, returning veterans will still be fighting for their starting positions and will try to earn a more predominant role in 2024.
Dallas will be hopeful that Sam Williams can make a bigger step in 2024
One player who will be excited about developing in preseason and playing a bigger role in 2024 is defensive end, Sam Williams.
The 25-year-old has two seasons under his belt and has been mainly utilized as a rotational piece on the defensive edge.
Understandably, superstar talent Micah Parsons and four-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence will have locked in their starting roles.
In his first two years, Williams has registered: 48 tackles, including 8.5 sacks, while forcing two fumbles and recovering three.
The 2022 second-round pick participated in 15 games as a rookie but only logged 11 during his sophomore campaign.
Furthermore, Williams was the second-most penalized Cowboy in 2023, adding further frustration to his game.
ESPN project Williams will see no more production that he already has
In ESPN’s Matt Clay 2024 player projections, Williams’ production remains the same with 4.5 sacks and 25 tackles.
Defensive ends Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong have departed during free agency leaving the door open for Williams, meaning his production should increase with a decrease in competition.
In addition, old defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has departed which has seen Mike Zimmer returns as his successor.
Therefore, there is a chance for Williams to make a breakthrough and shine under new guidance.
Cowboys expert completely disagrees with the prediction for Williams
Cowboys beat writer Mike Fisher implied that the ESPN projections should be false because of the franchise’s availability at DE.
“There’s an ESPN, compute, Mike Clay projection that says Sam Williams is essentially going to get the same number of snaps and sacks this year as he got in the past,” Fisher said via YouTube.
“That better be wrong! This team loses DA (Armstrong) and Fowler and Sam Williams doesn’t play more? Doesn’t make any sense.”
The opportunity has presented itself to the young talent and he must grab the chance with two hands under Zimmer.
Undoubtedly, the raw talent is there for all to see but he must mature and become less rash during snaps.