IRVING, Texas -- In his first two years with the Dallas Cowboys, wide receiver Terrance Williams did not have the chance to catch a pass from Tony Romo in the offseason program because of the quarterback’s recovery from back surgeries.

That has changed this spring.

"I'm still trying to find ways to come out there and have him look my way the same way he looks at Dez (Bryant) and (Jason) Witten," Williams said. "Now, this spring, I'm just basically with Tony doing whatever he's telling me to do, because I want him, every time he breaks the huddle, to have somebody else he can count on."

"This spring, I'm just basically with Tony [Romo] doing whatever he's telling me to do," Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrance Williams said. Al Bello/Getty Images

In his first two seasons, Williams has caught 81 passes for 1,357 yards and 13 touchdowns. He caught 37 passes for 621 yards and eight touchdowns last season and added three touchdown catches in the Cowboys’ two playoff games.

He had only 12 catches in the final eight games of the regular season with Bryant, Witten and Cole Beasley playing larger roles in the passing game.

With Bryant not taking part in the offseason program so far as he awaits a long-term deal with the franchise-tag tender ready for him to sign, Williams is atop the Cowboys’ pecking order at receiver.

Bryant will eventually return, either in the organized team activities, minicamp, training camp or early in the regular season, but the offseason promotion to No. 1 receiver should help Williams’ development.

"That's not something that I'm hoping happens," Williams said. "But if it does happen, then that's why Coach Garrett and my coaches did a great job telling me not to worry about what's going on, but just focusing on ways that I can get better and help my team."

Bryant has made periodic appearances at Valley Ranch in the offseason. Williams said he talks to him often.

"Dez wants to be back," Williams said. "We know that and he knows that and whenever he comes back, he's back in the family. ... I still talk to him once every two days, probably -- I just check up on him and see how he's doing. The times he did (come to Valley Ranch), he looked like he was ready to go. I guess whenever he decides to come back we're just going to pick up where we left off."