preseason rankings set the tone. Williams landed at No. 6 in ESPN’s annual preseason defensive-tackle rankings, a list compiled from input by league executives, coaches, and scouts. The assessment reflects the belief that a full season in a more stable environment could spark a strong return-to-form for Williams, who has already demonstrated elite traits as a disruptor against both the run and the pass.
In 2025, Williams showed his versatility and competitiveness. He delivered a solid run-stopping contribution and flashed real playmaking ability as a pass rusher after joining Dallas. In seven games with the Cowboys that year, he accumulated 19 pressures, more than doubling his eight pressures in eight games with the Jets prior to the trade. The Cowboys’ defensive staff clearly believes Williams can raise his sack production, a metric that has lagged slightly in recent seasons. His 2.5 sacks marked his lowest total since his rookie year, but the coaching staff and surrounding talent expect a rekindling of his pass-rush prowess in 2026.
Physically, Williams remains an imposing presence. Standing 6-foot-3 and around 300 pounds, he combines length, power, and balance that few interior linemen can matchup with. His skill set makes him a natural pairing with other interior disruptors, creating favorable matchups and interior pressure for opposing offenses. With the Cowboys, Williams is part of a front that features multiple high-end players capable of collapsing pockets and clogging rushing lanes, which should allow him to flourish as a primary interior weapon.
The trade that brought Williams to Dallas was highly scrutinized at the time, but it has already begun to reshape the Cowboys’ defensive identity. In exchange for Davis’ pick compensation and a current Cowboys defensive tackle, Dallas added Williams to a group that includes veteran interior players already contributing. This move underscored the franchise’s commitment to strengthening the middle of the defense, a strategic priority for a team looking to sustain success in a competitive division.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Williams joins a Dallas defense that is expected to maximize interior pressure. The Cowboys will be aiming to pair him with other interior stalwarts and recent acquisitions to form a formidable one-two punch on the interior line. This unit is expected to be among the most versatile in the league, capable of generating disruption against both the run and the pass. In this scheme, Williams can thrive by occupying blockers, freeing up linebackers to roam, and creating internal congestion that makes life difficult for opposing offenses.
The Cowboys’ interior line duo or trio also benefits from the surrounding infrastructure. Dallas possesses a veteran, pro-ready defensive tackle in Kenny Clark, who has historically brought interior push and experience to the rotation. The combination of Clark’s experience with Williams’ burst and technical refinement could yield a multi-faceted interior pass-rush threat that offenses must respect. Additionally, the team’s commitment to assembling athletic linebackers and versatile edge players provides a complement to Williams’ strengths, enabling him to focus more on disruptive plays rather than being a one-man show.
ESPN’s evaluators cited Williams’ potential through a positive lens, noting that a full season in a different defensive ecosystem can rejuvenate a player who has already proven himself at an elite level. The sentiment among analysts includes a cautious optimism: Williams remains highly gifted, a true matchup problem for interior blockers, and well-positioned to elevate Dallas’ overall defensive performance.
For Williams, the 2026 campaign represents more than just another season. It’s an opportunity to cement himself as perhaps the NFL’s premier interior defender and to demonstrate that his peak is still ahead of him. If he reaches or surpasses the expectations many observers have for him, a lucrative extension could be forthcoming, reflecting the value of a player who can consistently disrupt plays from the inside out.
In sum, the Cowboys’ decision to acquire Williams signals a clear intent: maximize interior disruption, improve run defense, and enhance the team’s ability to pressure quarterbacks from the middle of the line. With a healthy, high-performing Williams, Dallas has the potential to field one of the league’s most formidable interior defenses, capable of stifling both the run game and the passing attack. As the 2026 season unfolds, all eyes will be on how effectively Williams integrates into the Cowboys’ scheme and how consistently he can translate that integration into dominant performances on Sundays.
