Dallas Cowboys: Is Terrance Williams a No. 2 wide receiver?

By Stephen Forsha | Mar 30, 2015

One player who I believe has more to offer the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 is Terrance Williams, the No. 2 wide receiver on the roster.

A second-year pro, Williams had a productive ’14 season with 37 receptions for 621 yards and eight touchdowns. The wideout averaged 16.8 yards per reception, down from his production from the previous season.

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant before the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

One of the reasons for lower numbers than his rookie season was the fact the Cowboys went more to the run game last season. DeMarco Murray rushed for a league-high 1,845 yards. Meanwhile, No. 1 wide receiver Dez Bryant led the Cowboys with 88 receptions for 1,320 and totaled an NFL-high 16 touchdown receptions.

There are only so many yards, receptions and touchdowns to go around in an offense during a given game. Let’s say Bryant were to have to miss a game or more. Are you comfortable with Williams assuming his role?

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Do you believe Williams is a top No. 2 wide receiver in the game? I’m not 100 percent sold on Williams being able to take over the leading wide receiver role of the Cowboys just yet, but he is serviceable at the second wide receiver option for the Cowboys.

Some believe Williams didn’t play to his potential in ’14. That includes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.

"“He’s a threat on deep routes but needs to be more precise on his short and intermediate routes. His consistency must improve.”"

Williams has played in two NFL seasons after being a third-round selection (74th overall) from Baylor University in the 2013 NFL draft. Since the 6-2, 208 pound receiver began his Cowboys career he’s been serviceable and durable for being a third-round choice.

In his rookie season of 2013, Williams totaled 44 receptions for 736 yards (16.7 yards per catch) and five touchdowns. He also has just one fumble loss in his career (coming in 2013), and has played in all 32 regular-season games. There are many teams who wish they had a No. 2 receiver like Williams on their roster.

Oct 27, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrance Williams (83) prior to the game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps we will never really know how good he can actually be with great wide receiver in Bryant as the top guy. Add the fact the Cowboys have become a run-oriented team with their current offensive line and you can see why the numbers are what they are. Williams has been targeted 138 times in his career by Cowboys quarterbacks and caugh 81 of those passes.

There were two games in 2014 (vs. the Jaguars in London and at Chicago) in which Williams had no receptions. In the final three regular-season games, he totaled seven catches for 139 yards – averaging 18.86 yards per reception to end the regular season. In the playoffs, Williams had three receptions for 92 yards vs. the Detroit Lions and one catch for 38 yards against the Green Bay Packers. He has the potential to make an impact for the Cowboys in ’15.

Would I like to see the Cowboys draft a wide receiver to go into the mix with him, Bryant and Cole Beasley? The answer is yes, because this team needs to build some better depth at the receiver position. I want to see what type of progression Williams makes from year two to year three before I give a final verdict on what type of player he can become for the Cowboys.

So what are your thoughts on Williams?

Next: Should the Dallas Cowboys draft Malcom Brown?

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