When people start talking about training camp battles, it's easy to just focus on those for starting jobs. But when it comes to the 2023 Dallas Cowboys, some of the most fun wars to follow over the next couple of months will be those to earn bigger roles as backups.

That's true for the wide receiver position, where Simi Fehoko and Jalen Tolbert will battle to be WR4 and it's true for the entire secondary, where Israel Mukuamu, Kelvin Joseph, and Jourdan Lewis will all be chomping at the bit to be the next man up.

But one of the most overlooked position battles this training camp will take place in the defensive end room. 

You're probably aware that a breakout season is expected from second-year player Sam Williams. Last year's second-round pick had a great start to his career in very limited playing time and everyone seems to be extremely confident 2023 will be the year he makes the leap and becomes a bigger contributor.

There's only one problem with that: Dorance Armstrong, who beat him in snaps played last season, won't make it easy on him. Let's dive into this underrated training camp battle by looking closer at each player.

Cowboys Training Camp Battle: Backup EDGE

Sam Williams

2022 stats

• 4 sacks
• 9 QB hits
• 10 tackles for loss
• 1 forced fumble
• 3 fumble recoveries

Since he was drafted in the second round last year, the Cowboys knew they wanted to be patient with him as he refined his technique. Yet his play strength and explosiveness made him an impact player right away. At one point versus the Washington Commanders, he essentially took a tight end and tossed him into the running back to make the tackle.

He made plays from the left side and right side with ease, closing in with tremendous speed whenever he got the chance. As of right now, I'd make him the favorite to be the top backup at a position in which the Cowboys start Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

Dorance Armstrong

2022 Stats:

• 8.5 sacks
• 16 QB hits
• 10 tackles for loss
• 1 forced fumble
• 2 fumble recoveries

With a 47% snap count, Armstrong was the team's third-most-used pass rusher in 2022. He was recently named by NFL Network's Good Morning Football Crew a part of the league's "All-Underrated Defense."

As a backup, Armstrong has shown the Cowboys he's got great versatility. Dan Quinn will have him line up on the edges or over the A-Gap as a standup linebacker just the same. He'll even have him drop back into coverage to mix things up (he did 28 times last year).

As good and promising as Williams is, let's not pretend like it'll be a walk in the park to beat somebody as respected by the coaching staff as Armstrong.

Armstrong has also made sure he's a roster lock by being a tremendous special teamer, as he led the charge for a punt return unit that finished the season with the highest pressure rate.

Ultimately, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will find ways to get both involved without forgetting about the rest of what's a very deep group. The Cowboys have shown they won't shy away from using three and even four edge rushers in certain situations.

This will be a very fun group in 2023 and the backups at this position will be a big reason why.

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