Dallas Cowboys select Ole Miss edge rusher Sam Williams in 2022 NFL Draft

With the No. 56 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys have selected Ole Miss edge rusher Sam Williams in the second round. The Cowboys are getting a fast, skilled pass rusher that could see use quickly as a sub-package rusher depending on need.

Williams was a former four-star recruit according to the On3 Consensus rankings, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. His path to Ole Miss came through the JUCO level, as he was one of the highest rated junior college prospects in 2019. He received first-team JUCO All-American honors at Northeast Mississippi Community College with 17.5 sacks — a talent that came with him to the Rebels.

In 2019 he led Ole Miss with six sacks and 9.5 tackles for a loss, as well as recording an interception and forced fumble. He was suspended for part of the 2020 season after being charged with sexual battery, although the charges would be dropped soon after. He returned to the field and led the Rebels again with four sacks. His best season came last year, as Williams tallied 12.5 sacks — a school record — with 16 tackles for a loss and forcing four fumbles. He left Ole Miss with third-team AP All-American and first-team All-SEC honors.

What NFL draft analysts are saying about Sam Williams

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein outlined the pros and cons of Williams as an edge rusher, finding plenty of angles to the quarterback with his speed — while struggling when faced with a strong blocker.

“Despite his troubling performance versus the run, Williams’ pass-rush flashes tend to leave a more lasting impression,” said Zierlein. “He was often overmatched and pummeled at the point of attack, failing to play with the effort and grit needed to stand up to SEC linemen. As a rusher, he gets off the ball quickly and attacks the pocket with the bend and hand work to gain entry into the backfield from a variety of angles. He projects as a potentially dangerous sub-package rusher who will need to get stronger and more competitive against the run if he wants to be considered for early down snaps.”