Dallas Cowboys: Expectations For Terrance Williams

Dez Bryant has been the story for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason, and for good reason. The All-Pro receiver is coming off of a season leading the league in touchdowns, and was right in the middle of a heated contract discussion. He’s arguably the best receiver in the league, and is Tony Romo‘s most feared weapon in Dallas. With Bryant’s talent it’s easy to forget about anyone else on the roster, but wide receiver Terrance Williams could be poised to have his best season yet.

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With Bryant sitting out of any offseason workouts to this point Williams has had to fill the role of the No. 1 receiver, and this opportunity could be crucial for Williams’ development, but he’s still got plenty of obstacles in his way. The Dallas offense itself may prevent Williams from increasing his production much from what it was in 2014.

Last year, the Cowboys were second in the NFL in rushing yards, lead by DeMarco Murray and his 1,845 yards on the ground. The team was just below average in terms of passing yards with 3,784, but the stellar rushing attack placed them at 7th in total offense. In 2014 Dallas’ offense focused on the running game, and it looks to do much of the same next year.

The Cowboys have one of the most dominant offensive lines in the league, and will continue to use it to punish teams on the ground. However, the team’s other big offseason story was the departure of DeMarco Murray for Philadelphia, and it remains to be seen how well the team’s current running backs will be able to replace him. Common consensus is that anyone with a pulse could excel behind the Cowboys line, but if nobody is successful, the team may rely more on the passing attack, meaning more work for Williams.

Regardless of whether or not the run game is as dominant as it was last year, the Cowboys still understand that they have one of the league’s top quarterbacks in Tony Romo. Romo had the highest QBR and completion percentage in the league last year, and he was able to make key plays down the stretch. Romo has struggled at different points in his career, but it looks like he may have found a way to excel consistently. Romo’s success can only mean good things for his teammates.

While Williams’ production definitely depends on the run game and the success of his quarterback, one of the biggest obstacles he must overcome is the competition he faces for receptions. Dez Bryant is going to continue to lead the team in targets and receptions, and it seems likely that tight end Jason Witten will also be near the top. In 2014, Williams was fourth in receptions behind Bryant, Witten and DeMarco Murray.

Sep 15, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) warms up prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Now, with Murray gone and Williams working hard this offseason, he may very well be in store for an increased role in the offense. Jason Witten is aging and his production is decreasing, and Tony Romo is sure to look to be looking to another reliable target.

Williams will need to work hard if he wants to be this reliable target though, as he hauled in only 56% of his targets last year. He’s doing his best to get more focused, which could help him catch a higher rate of passes.

"“It’s kind of nerve racking going to the huddle and having Tony (Romo), Dez (Bryant) and (Jason) Witten,” Williams said, according to the Dallas Morning News. “I’ve been around them for three years now. … When you watch them from their demeanor, it’s kind of one of those things there’s a time when you can have a great time and there’s a time when there’s people that’s counting on you and there’s a reason why you’re out there. So whenever I’m around them, I’m serious because I’m so focused on getting the job done.”"

In his third year in the league, this increased focus should set Williams up for a breakout season. He’s been a decent role-player for the Cowboys but needs to establish himself as a more dominant weapon. 2015 should be the year in which he does that.

DeMarco Murray is gone, Jason Witten is aging, and Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley are unlikely to show themselves as dominant weapons, but Terrance Williams has all the skills necessary to do so.

He’s shown he can be the focal point of an offense, leading the NCAA in receiving yards with 1,832 in 2012 when he played for Baylor. He’s a big receiver with a tall vertical, who can be an elite red-zone target. Coming out of college, the main argument against him was his route-running inconsistency, but he’s gotten a lot of key experience this offseason with Dez Bryant missing from workouts:

"“He’s not only taken a tremendous leadership role in the group, really setting the example of how you do things, he’s expanded his route inventory,” wide receivers coach Derek Dooley said (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “He’s played X. He’s played Z. He’s played in the slot and every day he went out there and was the same player. Every route, every opportunity he had he took advantage of it. So he’s made a big jump this offseason.”"

He’s ready to be an excellent player, and should make a huge strides with his production this season. It’s likely that the Cowboys’ run-first offense and the other great receiving weapons around him will hold him down a bit, but he should be in for the best season of his young career. He should take some of the pressure off of Dez Bryant, and make his name as one of the league’s best emerging receivers.

2015 Predictions For Terrance Williams:

60 Receptions, 1,000 yards, 9 touchdowns

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