The Dallas Cowboys have signed free-agent running back Javonte Williams on Monday. The two sides have agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract that carries a maximum value of $3.5 million through incentives. This is a low-risk move by the Cowboys to address the lack of depth in their backfield. The assumption is that Williams will serve as the backup with the Cowboys likely adding a running back during the upcoming NFL draft. They will likely use Williams in some type of committee role. Williams has been unable to live up to the hype of his rookie season where he rushed for 903 yards in 2021. The 24-year-old was stuck in a backfield committee last season with the Denver Broncos. There's a good chance Williams ends up in a committee type of approach in Dallas, so this move shouldn't give fantasy managers too much confidence in a bounce back campaign from Williams.
Denver Broncos general manager George Paton said at the NFL Combine on Tuesday that the team could re-sign impending free-agent running back Javonte Williams this offseason. "There's a chance we bring Javonte back. I think he's one of the best pass protectors in the league," Paton said. It was previously reported this offseason that Denver was unlikely to bring Williams back in 2025 after another disappointing season in which he averaged just 3.7 yards per carry for 513 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 139 rushing attempts in 17 regular-season games (11 starts). He just hasn't displayed the same burst and tackle-breaking abilities since tearing his ACL early in the 2022 season, and he lost the lead-back role for the Broncos early in 2024. The only good news for Williams last year was that he had a career-best 52 catches for 346 yards through the air. His fantasy stock has fallen, but depending on his situation in 2025, he could be a bounce-back candidate.
The Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson writes that the Denver Broncos are not expected to re-sign impending free-agent running back Javonte Williams this offseason. Williams, a former second-round pick in 2021 out of North Carolina, entered the 2024 season as the team's unquestioned lead back, but poor efficiency on the ground led to the Broncos going with a committee approach in the backfield halfway through the year that also involved Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime. The 24-year-old came into the NFL as a bruising, tackle-breaking lead-back option for Denver, but since suffering a torn ACL in his sophomore season in 2022, he has not been the same, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry while combining for 1,287 rushing yards and only seven rushing TDs the last two seasons. Despite leading Denver with 513 rushing yards in 2024, Williams will likely struggle to find a lead-back role on the open market.
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams tallied 29 yards on seven attempts during their loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon. Williams also brought in both of his targets for 14 yards. With Audric Estime listed as a healthy scratch, Williams led the Denver backfield, as the depth options, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie combined for just four rushing attempts. However, quarterback Bo Nix led the team in rushing with 43 yards. This was another disappointing game for Williams, as he had trouble finding consistency in the Denver rushing attack. Over the final six games of the regular season, the North Carolina product averaged a poor 2.4 yards per carry and only 11.0 yards per game. Williams saw his fantasy value decrease this season after falling into a committee in the Denver backfield and will look to rebound in 2025.
Javonte Williams A Touchdown-Dependent RB Against The Bills
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams doesn't have much upside at all while involved in a three-man RB committee as the Broncos head to Buffalo on Sunday to face the Bills at Orchard Park in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Especially if the Broncos are forced to throw the ball often -- they are nearly 10-point underdogs in this one -- Williams' workload will most likely be light. It means that he'll probably need to find the end zone, which he's done only four times this season, in order to pay off for fantasy managers using him as an RB2 in DFS or playoff leagues. The 24-year-old had a mediocre 3.7 yards per carry on 139 rushing attempts in 2024 and just did not have the burst he showed early in his career. Williams had only five carries to Jaleel McLaughlin's 16 and rookie Audric Estimes's 12 in the Week 18 win over the Chiefs. Opportunities will be limited for Williams to do damage against Buffalo.
Javonte Williams Has Eight Touches In Blowout Win Over Chiefs
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams saw eight touches in the 38-0 trouncing of the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale with the Chiefs resting most of their starters. Williams had only five carries but went for 28 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and also caught three of his four targets for 50 yards. He had the fewest touches behind Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime, but Williams was the most productive with his touches to help Denver clinch their first postseason berth since 2015. The 24-year-old began the year as the clear backfield leader, but he's now fallen into a timeshare with McLaughlin and Estime and didn't even have a carry in last week's overtime loss to the Bengals. Denver will likely continue to split the workload among the three backs next Sunday in the playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, making Williams hard to trust for fantasy purposes.
Javonte Williams An RB3/Flex With Low Ceiling, Floor Against Chiefs
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams just isn't being involved enough to be an exciting fantasy option heading into the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday in Denver against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. In a Broncos backfield that has become a committee approach that also involves Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime, Williams will almost certainly need to find the end zone against a Chiefs defense resting key starters for the playoffs in order to reward fantasy managers as a flex play. Williams didn't see a single rushing attempt for the first time all year in last week's overtime loss to the Bengals and caught only two passes. He hasn't had double-digit carries since way back in Week 9 and has averaged a mere 3.6 yards per carry and 30.3 rushing yards per game in 16 contests this year. In a committee backfield with limited opportunities, there's little upside from Williams.
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams didn't see much action during Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Williams failed to see a carry in the backfield with Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime getting the touches. The only thing Williams did on offense was catch two passes for zero yards, so a dud from the 24-year-old. Williams hasn't been much of a fantasy asset this season and is unlikely to bring much to the table in this three-back committee.
Javonte Williams A Low-Upside, Touchdown-Dependent RB3/Flex In Week 17
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams will have even less upside in a good matchup in Week 17 on Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals on the road with backfield mate Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) returning after a one-game absence. Although Williams averaged 6.0 yards per carry on the ground last week with McLaughlin sidelined in the loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, he only had four carries for 24 yards. He did benefit, however, in the passing game with a season-high seven receptions for 29 yards. The Broncos offense shouldn't have a tough time moving the ball against a Bengals defense that has allowed 26.2 points per game (fifth-most in the league), but Williams will merely be a low-upside, touchdown-dependent RB3/flex in fantasy lineups with McLaughlin back in the fold. Williams hasn't seen double-digit touches since Nov. 3 and has only scored double-digit half-PPR points three times in 2024.
Javonte Williams Catches Team-High Seven Passes In Loss To Bolts
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams certainly had a bigger role in the offense with Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) out in the Thursday night loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, but not in the way that many would have predicted. Williams took a back seat to rookie Audric Estime on the ground in the 34-27 loss with only four carries for 24 yards (6.0 yards per tote), but he surprisingly led the team in targets (11), securing a team-high and season-high seven catches for 29 yards through the air. Rookie QB Bo Nix was content to check it down most of the night, with Williams benefitting. The 24-year-old came into Thursday's game with a disappointing 3.5 yard-per-carry average on the ground, although he was much more efficient on limited touches against LA. It's unlikely he'll be this involved in the passing game again, but if McLaughlin misses another game, Williams will have RB3/flex appeal in a plus matchup against Cincinnati in Week 17.
Javonte Williams
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Broncos
