Dallas Cowboys make two key offseason moves

The Cowboys are currently integrating their rookies with their veterans to prepare for OTAs that begin next week. On Tuesday, however, they took care of some contractual business. Defensive end Sam Williams and wide receiver Jalen Tolbert were the Cowboys' second- and third-round picks of the draft. Both will have significant roles in 2022, and […]

Matthew Lenix
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Dec 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy stands on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Washington Football Team at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy stands on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Washington Football Team at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys are currently integrating their rookies with their veterans to prepare for OTAs that begin next week. On Tuesday, however, they took care of some contractual business.

Defensive end Sam Williams and wide receiver Jalen Tolbert were the Cowboys' second- and third-round picks of the draft. Both will have significant roles in 2022, and now the Cowboys have signed them to four-year rookie deals, leaving tight end Jake Ferguson as the only unsigned draft pick.

Williams impressed during rookie minicamp last week with his athleticism and speed, which are his best attributes. He has a small mountain to climb in order to crack the starting line-up with guys like Dante Fowler, Dorance Armstrong, and Tarell Basham ahead of him. However, as a second-round pick, Williams will be on the field, a lot.

Tolbert will step in as the WR2 for the Cowboys until Michael Gallup returns from his torn ACL which will likely have him on the shelf for the first part of the season. The versatility of Tolbert having played every wide receiver spot at South Alabama, his ability to make contested catches, and his 4.49 speed could make him one of the steals of the draft as a third-rounder.

With the Cowboys losing Randy Gregory and Amari Cooper, it made defensive end and wide receiver priorities in the NFL draft. Williams and Tolbert are very promising talents that can be molded into good players at these positions. With guys like guard Tyler Smith, linebacker Damone Clark, and defensive tackle John Ridgeway also being brought to the organization, the Cowboys may have had one of their better drafts in recent memory.

Feature image via Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

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