Former second-round pick Sam Williams joins the Cleveland Browns to provide some much needed edge rusher depth.
The Cleveland Browns have spent the majority of training camp and the preseason looking to bolster their depth at defensive end.
Finally, an answer emerged. According to multiple reports, Cleveland plans on signing former Cowboys edge rusher Sam Williams to the active roster. In a corresponding move, they're expected to waive one of the training camp feel good stories, CB Michael Coats Jr., who was the only undrafted rookie to make the Browns initial 53-man roster.
The Williams signing comes after what's been an eventful summer at the DE position in Cleveland. Back in June, general manager Andrew Berry orchestrated a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Rams to send two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett west, in exchange for a haul of picks and rising star DE Jared Verse.
By the time training camp opened in late July, Berry's search for even more edge additions became obvious when the team hosted former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney for a workout.
Unfortunately, Clowney wound up signing back with the team that drafted him back in 2014, the Houston Texans, and Berry's search continued. That led them to another former Brown in Za'Darius Smith who had retired mid-way through last season to help take care of his mother before she ultimately passed away.
Smith also came to Cleveland for a workout and a deal seemed imminent. Then the veteran took a visit with the Atlanta Falcons as well, and signed there a few days later.
That left the Browns scrambling a bit to find some depth additions. The situation was only made worse when starting DE Alex Wright suffered a ruptured Achilles during the team's joint practice with the Buffalo Bills. Suddenly, the need for pass rushers had reached a critical mass.
Berry wound up adding another veteran in Derek Barnett last week and now Williams will join the fold, as well.
Williams spent each of the first four years of his career in Dallas, after being selected 56th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss. In his first two seasons with the Cowboys, he had compiled a combined 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries.
Then, toward the end of training camp in 2024, Williams tore his ACL and part of his MCL, which kept him out of commission for the entire season. Williams returned from the injury in 2025 and appeared in all 17 games for Dallas, finishing with 1 sack and 7 TFLs.
