NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Dallas Cowboys: 2018 NFL Draft grades for Day 2 picks

By Stephen Forsha

Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images
Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Texas offensive lineman Connor Williams speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Texas offensive lineman Connor Williams speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Round 2: Connor Williams, OL, Texas

Seeing the reaction from Connor Williams after he was notified by the Dallas Cowboys they were going to draft him was priceless and a feel-good moment for all involved as the Texas native joined the Cowboys.

Now all of that emotion shown on draft night must transcend onto the football field because the Cowboys are in need of a left offensive guard or right tackle to step up and take control of the position as they are a run-first team, and with a running back like Ezekiel Elliott, the better the offensive line play, the better the entire offense will be as well.

ESPN had Williams graded at the 37th overall best player in the draft and the third-best offensive guard, so with a grade of 86 out of 100, the 6-5, 296-pound guard/tackle should make some noise and even better, some running lanes, for the Cowboys and the rushing game next season.

The Cowboys are set at right guard with All-Pro Zack Martin in place, but the left guard and right tackle spots were an issue for the Cowboys. The selection of Williams might just fix this issue, though let’s not forget Willams can play tackle as well, depending on how the Cowboys feel he and La’el Collins can be used to the best of their abilities.

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports wrote this of Williams before the draft in a scouting report:

"“Mean streak in the run game is noticeable, and his athleticism helps him there too. First-rounder. Could dominate at guard.”"

If the Cowboys could have two dominant guards on their roster, plus with the talent they have at tackle if Tyron Smith stays healthy and Collins continues to grow at the position, and the Cowboys having maybe the top center in the league in Travis Frederick, the offensive line could be back at the top of the list in 2018 one season after hitting a bit of a road bump.

It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys use Williams this upcoming season, as he could just be used for depth at guard and tackle, but don’t be surprised if he’s inserted somewhere in the starting lineup at some point of the season.

Grade: B+

Home/Dallas Cowboys