Three Dallas Cowboys Poised for an Increased Role This Season
The Cowboys have had an eventful offseason. They have hired a new head coach and two new coordinators. They will have a new identity next season and will likely bring in an influx of young talent to compete for starting roles in 2025. However, there’s a good chance the organization has confidence in some in-house players who have been buried on the depth chart in previous seasons. Let’s take a look at some potential underrated contributors for the Cowboys in 2025.
Sam Williams, EDGE, 26
In 2022, the Dallas Cowboys spent an early second-round pick on Sam Williams, a high-upside pass rusher out of Ole Miss. Williams was a highly productive player in college, posting over 20 sacks during his tenure as a Rebel. He also has elite traits at six-foot-four and 260 pounds, along with a relentless motor. While Williams began his career waiting in the wings behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, he still managed to rack up eight and a half sacks in his first two seasons before suffering a season-ending knee injury in training camp last year. All signs point to Williams rehabbing successfully and being available for Week One, where he will compete for starting snaps with Dante Fowler Jr. opposite Micah Parsons.
Israel Mukuamu, DB, 25
In 2021, the Cowboys took a chance on Israel Mukuamu, a safety out of South Carolina, in the sixth round. Mukuamu has great size and speed at the safety position and has been a key special teams contributor through his first four seasons in the NFL. With the Cowboys letting nickel corner Jourdan Lewis walk in free agency, Mukuamu has a good chance of increasing his role in 2025 somewhere in the secondary. He has the versatility to line up in the nickel and the range to be a true strong safety in the Cowboys' scheme.
T.J. Bass, OG, 26
T.J. Bass is a former 2023 undrafted free agent out of Oregon who has carved out a nice role in Dallas by being a versatile lineman who has stepped into the starting lineup due to injuries. With the retirement of Zack Martin, the Cowboys do not have a solidified starter at right guard. T.J. Bass, along with recent free agent acquisitions like Saahdiq Charles and Robert Jones, will all compete for the starting position in training camp. However, given Bass’ proven ability and familiarity with the organization, he could have a slight advantage. Bass is six-foot-four and nearly 330 pounds, with plenty of ability in a power run system under Brian Schottenheimer.
