The Cowboys’ recent roster shuffle saw changes on both the defensive line and offensive backfield, as the release of RB Darren McFadden and K Mike Nugent led to the signing of DL Datone Jones and promotion of practice squad RB Trey Williams.
After scouting what Jones brings to the Cowboys right here, I decided to study Williams – who just like McFadden may very well be stuck behind Alfred Morris and Rod Smith for the time being.
Studying the journeyman running back in Williams was a struggle in itself, as the Texas A&M product carried the ball once this preseason – his first action since 2015 with the Redskins.
Trey WIlliams’ preseason film with the Washington Redskins in 2015 remains the best sampling of his abilities at the NFL level, as he is now on the Cowboys’ roster in his second stint with Dallas.
The Cowboys have been aware of Williams’ ability for some time now, signing him off of the Redskins’ practice squad in 2015 and again earlier this month, leading to his promotion now.
Here is his scouting report in another edition of Sean’s Scout.
As mentioned, Trey Williams may still be a long way from getting on the Cowboys’ game day roster, but he could bring the loose play ability that is sorely missed on Scott Linehan’s offense right now.
Williams, an effortless glider with quick decision-making ability, can react to holes opening up as fast as he’s able to hit them and turn up the field for big gains.
While he may trust his eyes to a fault at times and not allow blocks to set or plays to develop fully, Williams has the easy speed to turn the corner on linebackers and get to the edge – even on broken plays.
Williams runs with limited power, although he does his best to fall forward for extra yards pushing between the tackles. Where he does excel as a change of pace back is in his ability to find a second and third gear hitting the open field rapidly.
By the time Trey Williams hits the line of scrimmage in the above clip (red line), look at just how many Lions defenders are out of the play already. Even the safety coming down is losing the angle on Williams, who beats the linebacker in front of him for a splash play.
For the most part, Williams has desirable balance in the way he carries the ball, although there were some snaps where his knack to run upright forced him to square his shoulders to shake defenders – often going down on first contact in these situations.
When he is at his best, Williams is hitting the first crease he sees and attacking with his long strides up the field. This is a player that can stop on a dime, in space, or when surrounded by defenders to find positive yards.
As a pass catcher, Williams is able to run routes with an above average understanding of the space he has to work with. Creating these “loose plays”, I was also impressed with Trey Williams’ ability to chip against rushers and compete as a blocker when firing out into the pattern.
Any good scout will tell you that a player that has only speed essentially has nothing when it comes to taking their game to the next level, and there’s no hiding that speed is what Trey Williams’ game is predicated on.
Bouncing around to four different NFL teams along with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL following his first stint with the Dallas Cowboys, Williams has not found any footing in this league and faces an uphill battle doing so in this current Cowboys backfield.
Should they have an active roster spot for him though, the Cowboys could do well to dress Williams and look to get the ball in his hands once or twice against the Redskins on Thursday.
Without Ezekiel Elliott, watching the Dallas offense work methodically to have most of their drives stall has become increasingly and understandably frustrating for Cowboys Nation. Just maybe, Trey Williams can change that on one carry or reception.
At the very least, Williams is a more versatile replacement at the “insurance back” spot the Cowboys are holding until Elliott returns thanks to his complete game at RB and potential special teams contributions.
