Cutting Miles Austin opens the door for rookie receiver Terrance Williams to enter the starting lineup. The Cowboys were pleased with his production and development last season. Williams — a Dallas native who played at Baylor — was the Cowboys’ No. 3 receiver last season and had 44 catches for 736 yards and five touchdowns.
With Austin gone, the Cowboys also could pursue a veteran receiver in free agency who could help Williams and a young group of Dallas receivers in their development.
With Miles Austin basically sidelined from Week 4 to Week 10, Williams was the #12 WR in fantasy, racking up 24 catches for 438 yards and five TDs in that seven-game span. In four games where he played at least 80 percent of his teams snaps, he averaged 11.0 FP (#15 WR numbers). In eight games where he played at least 70 percent of the snaps, he averaged 9.0 FP (#22 WR numbers). He faded upon Austin’s return to starter’s snaps, but showed enough in his rookie season to make him an intriguing middle-round pick in 2014. The Cowboys figure to throw a lot under new OC Scott Linehan, who was pass-happy while in Detroit. With Austin gone, the path is clear for a breakout season from Williams.
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