NFL analyst suggests Cowboys fill Sam Williams' spot with free agent Yannick Ngakoue

The Dallas Cowboys received their first big injury hit of the 2024 preseason this week when defensive end Sam Williams suffered an ACL tear and partial MCL tear at training camp practice. His injury, which will keep him out for the entire regular season, robs the team of a starter-level pass rusher who was supposed to have a bigger role this year behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

Dallas has a few younger, unproven players waiting in the wings, including rookie Marshawn Kneeland, but the group could benefit from another veteran addition. As NFL.com‘s Kevin Patra suggests this week, there are free agents that could be a good fit for Dallas – and not just on defense. Patra picked out two free agents that the Cowboys may want to look at before the regular season, starting with edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue.

Ngakoue became a free agent in March when his one-year deal with the Chicago Bears expired. Though the Bears paid him just over $10 million for the 2023 season, the Cowboys could potentially sign him for much less. He’s 29 years old and coming off of a season in which he played 13 games, tallying 22 tackles with four sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Williams posted similar numbers for Dallas over the last two years.

Another good reason for the Cowboys to sign Ngakoue is his experience playing for Mike Zimmer. He was with the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, though the team traded him to the Ravens mid-way through the season. He had five sacks in six games for Zimmer that year.

Could the Cowboys add another wide receiver?

The NFL.com analyst also suggested that the Cowboys add another wide receiver to compete for the No. 3 reps behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. Aside from the fact that Lamb hasn’t been at training camp, Dallas could use another veteran. Patra isn’t the first to suggest former Saints WR Michael Thomas.

The 2024 season will be Michael Thomas’ ninth in the league. He turned 31 in March. Last season, he posted 39 catches on 64 targets in 10 games. He tallied 448 yards and one touchdown as the Saints went 9-8.

The Cowboys took a shot at landing a free-agent wide receiver in the spring when they hosted former Jaguars standout Zay Jones. However, Jones’ price tag was likely too high for Dallas. He inked a one-year deal for $4.5 million with the Arizona Cardinals.

Dallas loses Sam Williams to ACL tear

An MRI confirmed that Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams tore his ACL and partially tore his MCL during practice on Sunday. Williams went down with an apparent left knee injury and had to be carted off the field. He sustained the injury while taking part in a special teams drill.

Williams was gearing up for his third season with the Cowboys, who selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss. He has suited up in 32 games over the past two seasons, tallying 8.5 sacks, 48 tackles (30 solo), 16 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles.