Cowboys’ Quinnen Williams Earns Top “Most Improved” Nod from Pro Football Focus

Pro Football Focus spotlights Williams’ turnaround after midseason move from Jets

Quinnen Williams, now the rock at the heart of the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line, is turning heads—and not just in Texas. Pro Football Focus (PFF) has crowned him the NFL’s most improved defensive tackle, and honestly, it’s hard to argue. Williams made his way to Dallas at the NFL trade deadline in the Jets trade, packing his bags and leaving behind a rough patch with the New York Jets during the 2024 season. Since landing in Dallas, he’s looked like a man reborn.

In his first seven games wearing the star, Williams racked up 21 tackles, nine quarterback hits, three tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and even snagged an interception—talk about making yourself at home! PFF handed him a run-defense grade of 91.7 and didn’t mince words, calling his play “dominant.” He piled up 32 pressures, the fourth-most among defensive tackles in that stretch. And if you’re a fan of numbers, his overall PFF grade with Dallas is a sparkling 89.6, a testament to just how much he’s shaken things up since the move.

Williams is expected to be a key piece of the puzzle alongside defensive tackles Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark, while former teammate Sauce Gardner deals with the Gardner injury in Indianapolis. That trio could give opposing offenses more headaches than a Texas summer without air conditioning.

Williams’ resurgence hasn’t just caught the eye of analysts—it’s got fans buzzing too. The Cowboys are crossing their fingers (and maybe their toes) that his hot streak keeps rolling as they set their sights on a deep run this coming season in a league defined by constant change — just look at the Raiders turnover.