Per Crapaport: Cowboys sign RB Trey Williams

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 4m4 minutes ago
The #Cowboys are signing RB Trey Williams from the #Redskins practice squad, source said. He takes Joseph Randle's roster spot.

Overview

2014: Played 12 games. Second on team with 560 rushing yards. Led team with seven rushing touchdowns. 2013: Played in 11 games. Had more than 1,000 all-purpose yards while serving as primary kick returner. 2012: Freshman All-SEC. Played all 13 games. Finished fourth on the team in rushing. High School: U.S. Army All-American.


Pro Day Results
40-yard dash: 4.49 and 4.45 seconds


Analysis

Strengths Features a devastating jump-cut that torments defenders in space. One of the best "make-you-miss" types in this draft. Improvisation-oriented athlete in space. Able to change directions at a moment's notice and multiple times during one play. Great vision. Looks past first move and focuses on second move. Instant burst through the crease to the third level. Ran for 15-plus yards on 13.6 percent of his carries over the last two years. Can be shuffled around the field as a mismatch weapon. Was a kick returner for all three years at A&M.

Weaknesses Very slightly built runner. More of an "offensive weapon" than a true running back. Ran as an off-set back from shotgun. Is seen frequently looking for the sideline with ball in his hands. Little to no strength as a runner. Can't break tackles and churn out extra yardage. When defenses get hands on him, the play is over. Too small to be factor as pass blocker. Benefited from running out of spread offense, allowing him to see his share of six-man boxes.

Draft Projection Round 6 or 7

Sources Tell Us "He will have to prove to NFL teams that he can work from the slot, too. If he can show that he has value from the slot to go with an occasional carry and full-time kick return responsibilities, then he adds to his value." -- NFC East scout

NFL Comparison De'Anthony Thomas

Bottom Line All-purpose running back with an ability to hit big plays from time to time, but no value as an every-down player. Some teams might view Williams as a luxury talent with minimal value due to his lack of size and natural position fit, while other teams will see him as a chess piece that they can deploy to create mismatches and use to stress defenses. His kick-return ability adds value, but there's likely a ceiling on just how highly he will be drafted.

Related Links

This is from Gil Brandt on his pro day workout:

Running back Trey Williams (5-7 1/2, 193) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 and 4.45 seconds. Williams stood on the rest of his numbers from the combine, where he was a top performer among running backs in the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and 20-yard short shuttle. At the end of the pro-day workout, Williams caught punts and showed that he had very good hands. His height is a factor, but he's a little guy with a lot of ability.

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I wonder if the decision for him was as simple as an experienced RB who can return kicks and play special teams or it's as complicated as Williams is a player who is being trained by Callahan and would know how to run in the zone scheme of Dallas's current line (which Callahan created) - similar to the thinking that when Jason acquires players formerly coached by Norv Turner, the adjustment to Jason's scheme takes much less time. Or maybe it's one of those "acquire a player from the offense of one of the opponents to find out how they play" type things.

The speed is still welcome nonetheless.

Trey Williams Freshman & Sophomore Year Highlights 2012-2014 á´´á´° - YouTube

Seems talented. Why is he not playing more and just on the Redskins PS?

Why am I not surprised he's a former Aggie... Reminds me of when Jerry was pimping that fact about "C-Mike."

Could be our Darren Sproles.

Midswat said:

Could be our Darren Sproles.

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Nice. We need a Darren Sproles

We should have just got Darren Sproles.

Brandon George ‏@DMN_George 2 hours ago
Cowboys RB Trey Williams said when he got call that Dallas was signing him he was at the mall shopping and he started crying in the store.

Brandon George ‏@DMN_George 2 hours ago
New Dallas Cowboys RB Trey Williams said he grew up near Houston a Cowboys fan: "I’m here now and I’m not looking back."


RKG

Midswat said:

Could be our Darren Sproles.

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Or our Lance Dunbar.

peplaw06 said:

Brandon George ‏@DMN_George 2 hours ago
Cowboys RB Trey Williams said when he got call that Dallas was signing him he was at the mall shopping and he started crying in the store.

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Seems like a natural reaction to the thought of having to play for Garrett.

Bob Sacamano said:

Or our Lance Dunbar.

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"He has special teams value as a kickoff return man. He was one of the best in the nation while at Texas A&M averaging over 25 yards a return. Very similar player to what they had with Lance Dunbar in the things he can do offensively but better pass blocker."
---Brian Broaddus

Not sure if he'll be an upgrade over anything we have on offense but I love the potential he brings to our return game.

Hard to believe a guy who couldn't even make the Redskins is better than the amazing, coveted Lance Dunbar.

But maybe he's close enough.

Well never mind. The x "review" is in. Guess what, Wiliiams looks pretty great.

ThoughtExperiment said:

Hard to believe a guy who couldn't even make the Redskins is better than the amazing, coveted Lance Dunbar.

But maybe he's close enough.

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I think it was gonna be hard for Trey Williams to make the team being as they already had Chris Thompson, the same type of back, on roster.