Dec 17, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) take the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
The Former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins center has some positive news coming off a knee surgery that has kept him off the field since December 2023.
Connor Williams One Of The More Underrated Centers In The National Football League
Connor Williams was having his best season to date in 2023 playing for the Miami Dolphins alongside future $20 million/year man, Robert Hunt, and former undrafted free agent turned excellent guard, Robert Jones. Williams ranked as one of the top centers in the NFL with a whopping 86.5, good for 2nd in the league behind only Detroit Lions 3 x Pro Bowler, Frank Ragnow.
In fact, Williams has been a very solid pro in the NFL for a number of years now, going back to his Dallas days, where he surrendered the fewest pressures of any Cowboy lineman, and gave up just a singular sack.
Yet, surprisingly, the former Texas Longhorn has been continuously overlooked for any regular season awards, never making the Pro Bowl or All-Pro teams despite continuously impressive, and at times, elite, play.
Coming off another major injury and his second ACL tear of his professional career (his first being in 2019), Williams did not receive much attention in free agency as his 2 year, $14 million deal with Dolphins, signed back in 2022, was set to expire.
Now, with new information being dispersed by Adam Schefter, it seems like the market may again re-emerge for one of NFL’s top centers.
Connor Williams Set To Be Ready For The Start Of The 2024 Season
Former Miami Dolphins center Connor Williams only played 9 games in 2023.
This is obviously excellent news for both Connor Williams and interior O-Line needy teams alike. Williams brings a unique blend of pedigree, versatility and experience to a franchise, having started at both guard and center for the past 5 seasons.
In fact, having just turned 27, it is quite feasible that the Coppell, Texas native has at least another 5 years of high level play in him, injuries permitting.
Could The Dallas Cowboys Make A Move For Their Old Left Guard
Former Dallas Cowboys T Tyron Smith. Credit: Yahoo! Sports
The Cowboys faced somewhat of an exodus on both offensive and defensive sides of the ball in free agency, losing a total of 6 starters, including Pro Bowl center, Tyler Biadasz, and All-Pro & future Hall of Fame left tackle, Tyron Smith.
Whilst Dallas addressed the tackle spot with their selection of the raw, but talented and physically imposing Oklahoma alum, Tyler Guyton, the Cowboys are left with 2022 UDFA, Brock Hoffman, at center, who has just 2 career starts to date.
Although the ‘Boys did recently draft Kansas State Unanimous All-American center, Cooper Beebe, in the 3rd round of the 2024 draft, head coach Mike McCarthy may well be enticed to bring in a more experienced pair of hands to work as quarterback, Dak Prescott’s pivot and line caller.
They certainly will have competition, and likely won’t be able to get Williams on a discount, as multiple teams have enquired about his services, per Schefter. And as we have seen with the mega free agent guard contracts given to Robert Hunt and Jonah Jackson, he will not come cheap.
Let’s see where Connor Williams eventually ends up, and hopefully his able to continue on his impressive career trajectory towards being a top of the market NFL interior offensive lineman.