The Dallas Cowboys are one week away from having to make some tough decisions regarding the 53-man roster.
They still have one more preseason game to help them make those roster decisions. One position that might get some attention is at edge rusher thanks to Von Miller‘s signing.
After Miller was added, there were a lot of edge rushers on the Cowboys who could be on their way off the roster. One is becoming an increasingly obvious candidate.
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GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 17: Sam Williams #54 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Bleacher Report writer Gary Davenport listed six NFL players who are candidates to be the biggest names cut from their teams. Davenport named Cowboys edge rusher Sam Williams as a candidate to watch for.
“Sam Williams once appeared to be an ascending young edge-rusher for the Dallas Cowboys.
A second-round pick in 2022, he amassed 8.5 sacks over the first two years of his career. But injury wiped out his 2024 season, and he had just one sack despite playing a career-high 474 snaps a year ago.”
“Williams may have to jump-start his career elsewhere. Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, rookie Malachi Lawrence and newly signed Von Miller appear to be locks for the 53-man roster. That could leave only one or two spots for Williams, Marist Liufau and James Houston, and Liufau is a core special teams contributor.
Williams would no doubt quickly get scooped up, but the truth is there may not be room for him in Dallas anymore.”
The Cowboys selected Williams as a second-round pick back in 2022, and he has been a decent contributor on defense. He has racked up 85 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, 9.5 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, 3 pass deflections, and 3 forced fumbles.
Williams missed two games in 2022 with a knee injury. His most significant time missed was in 2024, when he lost the whole season with a torn ACL and an MCL tear.
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GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 05: Sam Williams #54 of the Dallas Cowboys in action during the NFL 2025 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 05, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Dallas has not gotten the kind of production it hoped for from Williams over the last four years. He’s made for a nice rotational piece, but the hope was that he was going to step into the starting lineup.
Miller taking up a roster spot will only make things tougher for Williams. If the Cowboys don’t cut him, they could consider moving him at the trade deadline. Dallas might be able to get a Day 3 draft pick for him.
Williams can still make a contribution to the team, but rookies Malachi Lawrence and Jaishawn Barham are in the picture. Those guys might make it easier on the Cowboys to decide what to do with Williams.
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