Dallas Cowboys 2022 Draft Grades: Fan anger/coach jubilee/time will tell

With the 56th pick in 2022 NFL Draft the Dallas Cowboys select

Sam Williams, EDGE

6-4, 265lb

Ole Miss

A pick that was meant to be. The Dallas Cowboys, namely Dan Quinn, fell in love with Sam Williams from the jump. The 6-foot-4 EDGE from Ole Miss had the type of measurables that make coaches drool. Throughout his career, the JUCO transfer has dominated at every level of competition and Dan Quinn is banking on that continuing.

He played 180 snaps over tackle & 574 snaps outside tackle. Out of 778 total snaps in 2021, 451 were pass rush and 325 were run defense. He logged 13 sacks and 40 hurries for an elite 19.5% pass rush win rate (per PFF)

With 61 total pressures in 2021, Williams finished second in the SEC. Perhaps most noteworthy was how he played against first round Dallas Cowboys OT target, Charles Cross. Against Cross, Williams tallied nine pressures and two sacks resulting in a staggering 25.4% pass-rush win rate, proving he’s effective against even elite competition.

Dallas coaches had a lot of influence on who the Cowboys picked. This is not like the epic 2020 class that the scouting department controlled.

Williams prides himself on practicing hard and you can see that relentless motor on film. This no doubt endeared him to Dan Quinn which made him all but a sure thing to be drafted by Dallas at Pick 56.

By nearly all scouting accounts, Williams was over-drafted. Rated as Brugler’s 91st player, the Dallas Cowboys were happy to reach to get “Quinn’s guy.” This would be a theme of first two days. Dallas coaches had a lot of influence on who the Cowboys picked. This is not like the epic 2020 class that the scouting department controlled.

How this turns out will ultimately decide how this coach-driven draft is remembered. What we know is Williams’ off the field issues adds to his risk. We also know his elite testing, record of success, and development under Dan Quinn adds to his reward.

Dan stuck his neck out for Williams so you can bet he’ll do everything he can to make this pick work out. That fact cannot be understated.

Many better players were on the board so the grade takes a hit for that. But the value of the position is significant (EDGE is arguably the second most valuable position in football), the need is obvious, and ceiling is significant. The Dan Quinn factor boosts this a letter grade.

Pick 56 Grade: C