The Dallas Cowboys made the biggest and most surprising move of the trade deadline this season. Acquiring a bona fide star like Quinnen Williams proved that team owner/GM Jerry Jones was serious about fixing the defense, especially at a time when the Cowboys could've been sellers instead of buyers.
Dallas saw its run defense improve right away after acquiring Williams. Unfortunately, the success was short-lived, and they couldn't make the playoffs. Now that Christian Parker has replaced Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator, expectations are high.
Despite his youth, Parker was considered a pivotal part of Nick Sirianni's defensive system. He was likely next in line to replace defensive coordinator Vic Fangio if he chose to retire. That's why Williams should be quite excited about this hiring.
Christian Parker's Work in Secondary Should Work Wonders for Quinnen Williams
Even so, Parker's background is actually oriented in the secondary. Then again, fixing Eberflus's mess with the defensive backs will ultimately have a major impact on Williams and the defensive line, as quarterbacks won't have clean looks and will have to extend plays if the secondary does better. That will give Williams and the pass rushers more time to get to the quarterback.
Rookie cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. struggled mightily in zone coverage. Per Pro Football Focus, he gave up 21 receptions on 31 targets (67.7 percent) for 295 yards and 14 yards per catch in zone coverage. While some may feel that's because of his lack of experience, even a proven guy like DaRon Bland struggled in the same setting, allowing 52 catches on 77 targets (67.5 percent) for 633 yards.
Eberflus tried to limit splash plays with a 'bend, don't break' approach. More often than not, the secondary failed to communicate, recognize, or recover, giving up big completion after completion. Parker, a specialist in fast communication who can also adapt to different schemes and players, should help with that regard.
Back to Williams, he's admittedly a fan of his new defensive coordinator. While he didn't get a chance to work with him in the past, he's kept tabs on some of the elite defensive linemen he's helped turn into stars:
“He’s been a part of a lot of great group of defensive linemen, especially being at Denver, being at the Eagles with Jalen Carter and those guys and seeing those guys develop," Williams told Cowboys beat reporter Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "The way Jordan Davis played this year, the way those guys played this year. Knowing that he comes from a winning culture, a winning standard under Vic [Fangio] and his staff, it’ll kind of be great to see and great to be a part of.”
Williams is one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the game, and his ability to rush the passer isn't common for a defensive tackle. He only logged 1.5 sacks in half a season in Arlington. However, with a more disciplined secondary limiting splash plays and easy completions, he could be in for a career year in his first full season with America's Team, regardless of whether Kenny Clark stays or leaves.