Cowboys' Quinnen Williams Disrespected In Latest ESPN Ranking
· Yahoo Sports
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was in almost a no-win situation last season after being acquired in a midseason trade from the New York Jets.
By the time the trade was finalized, Dallas' defense under Matt Eberflus was already established as a basket-case, with Williams seen as one player who could make some sort of difference to the floundering group.
Visit biznow.biz for more information.
And he did...but it was a sugar hit.
The Cowboys put together three games of good play, beating the Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs and it had some thinking the defense, with Williams as its centerpiece, had turned a corner.
Well, it didn't.
But still, the value of Williams was there for all to see.
READ MORE: How George Pickens Can Help Cowboys Sign Von Miller
He had to join a new team, learn a new system, bond with new teammates, and then help keep a sinking ship afloat. The All-Pro is good, but he isn't that good.
Ok, maybe he is, as most view him as one of, if not the best defensive tackle in football.
And ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, with the help of coaches, scouts, and executives, ranked the top 10 defensive tackles in football, and Quinnen, somewhat head-scratchingly, came in at No. 6.
"After six-plus seasons with the Jets, a full year on a different team should benefit Williams," Fowler wrote. "Quinnen Williams finished fifth in run stop win rate (43%) among 204 qualified players in 2025. As a pass rusher, his 19 pressures in seven games with Dallas more than doubled his total in eight games with New York (eight) before he was traded.
"And the Cowboys are hopeful Williams increases his pass-rush profile in 2026. His 2.5 sacks marked his lowest total since his rookie year in 2019."
READ MORE: Do Cowboys Need To Sign A Pro Bowl Running Back? Ranking 3 Options
Ahead of Williams were Derrick Brown (No. 5), Chris Jones (No. 4), Jalen Carter (No. 3), Jeffrey Simmons (No. 2) and Leonard Williams (No. 1).
But while Quinnen at No. 6, yes, we understand he could be at No. 1 and quite easily, it was another section of the ESPN article that is just downright odd. Embarrassing even.
And it is here where the disrespect begins.
In each ranking spot, there is a highest ranking/lowest ranking (among the top 10 list), and last year's ranking.
And for Quinnen, his lowest ranking from coaches, scouts, and executives was "unranked," meaning he didn't even make the top 10.
That's a joke, right?
In seven seasons, he's a four-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro, widely considered among the best at his position.
But to be unranked, and not in the top 10? Unbelievable.
Quinnen, you just got your bulletin-board material for 2026.