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 to Rico Dowdle to begin the season. However, the Cowboys could still add more backs through free agency or the upcoming NFL draft. 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.
Mar 10, 2025 7:38 PM EST
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.
Feb 25, 2025 8:32 PM EST
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.
Jan 20, 2025 6:15 PM EST
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.
Jan 12, 2025 4:22 PM EST
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.
Jan 11, 2025 10:29 AM EST
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.
Jan 6, 2025 10:58 AM EST
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.
Jan 4, 2025 10:42 AM EST
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.
Dec 29, 2024 9:28 AM EST
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.
Dec 26, 2024 11:37 PM EST
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.
Dec 20, 2024 12:27 AM EST
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams could very well lead Denver's backfield in the Week 16 divisional game on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16 after Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) being ruled out. However, Williams could be splitting touches pretty evenly with rookie Audric Estime, and the matchup is not a friendly one on a short week. On top of it, the 24-year-old has done very little all year for fantasy managers to give him the benefit of the doubt. His ineffectiveness (career-low 3.5 yards per carry) led the Broncos to go with more of a committee backfield that had favored McLaughlin in recent weeks. The Chargers defense isn't afraid to give up yards to opposing ground games, but they've allowed the sixth-fewest half-PPR points to RBs, including only five total TDs. If Denver is going to have success in this matchup, it's more likely to come via Bo Nix's arm.
Dec 18, 2024 7:57 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams rushed six times for 15 yards and hauled in two of three targets for eight yards in the Broncos' 31-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Williams followed suit in a game where the Broncos offense could only put together 193 yards of total offense. The Bronco's running backs have been by committee for most of the season, and head coach Sean Peyton doesn't want to change that strategy. The silver lining for Williams is that Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) left the game in the second half. If he were to miss any time, that could make this Broncos running back room smaller with just Williams and Audric Estime. Regardless, Williams has not been a reliable running back for fantasy managers in 2024. He is a touchdown-dependent RB3 heading into Week 16 versus the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football.
Dec 16, 2024 10:22 AM EST
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams has a great matchup in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but he's still hard to trust as a flex option in fantasy leagues in the first round of the playoffs. Williams leads the team in carries (124), rushing yards (446) and rushing touchdowns (four), but he's averaging a mere 3.6 yards per carry and is now no longer the clear leader of the backfield after Jaleel McLaughlin saw a team-high 14 carries in the Week 13 win over the Browns. In the last four games, Williams has just 22 rushing attempts for 59 yards (2.69 yards per tote) and two TDs. The Colts defense has allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (147) and fourth-most half-PPR points per game to RBs, so Denver's ground game could have a rare good performance. However, Williams isn't guaranteed to see lead-back volume, making him a tough-to-trust RB3/flex in deeper fantasy leagues.
Dec 14, 2024 10:38 AM EST
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams found the end zone on the ground for the second time in the last three weeks, but it came with minimal production in the 41-32 Monday night win over the visiting Cleveland Browns. In addition to the touchdown plunge at the goal line, Williams had only four carries for one yard and caught one of his two targets for just three yards. The story for the 24-year-old was similar to last week's win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, when he had 10 touches that netted four total yards. The five total touches were his second-fewest of the season in a night when both offenses seemingly couldn't be stopped. Additionally, teammate Jaleel McLaughlin led Denver's backfield for a second straight week. Williams continues to be inefficient when he touches the ball and cannot be trusted as much of an RB3/flex coming out of their Week 14 bye to face the Colts in Week 15.
Dec 3, 2024 1:05 AM EST
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams hasn't rewarded his fantasy managers too many times during the 2024 season, which makes him a pretty shaky RB3/flex for the upcoming Monday night matchup against the visiting Cleveland Browns in Week 13. The 24-year-old has not looked explosive much this year -- he's averaging only 3.7 yards per carry -- and has posted double-digit half-PPR points in only three of his 12 games. Williams has given fantasy managers under 2.0 half-PPR points in two of the last three weeks. If that wasn't bad enough, Denver's backfield is slowly evolving into a three-man committee that also includes Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime. The Browns defense is vulnerable on the ground (130.6 rushing yards allowed per game), but they've surrendered the eight-fewest half-PPR points per game to RBs as well. Williams is going to have to be efficient on limited touches.
Nov 30, 2024 9:14 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams had a disaster of a performance in the 29-19 win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12 on Sunday a week after taking over lead-back duties in Denver's backfield. Williams had a team-high eight carries but produced minus-two yards while catching two of four targets for just six yards. In a great matchup against a banged-up and floundering Raiders defense, the 24-year-old fell flat and has quickly become an avoidable RB3/flex in a Broncos backfield that appears to be playing musical chairs in a three-man committee that also involves Jaleel McLaughlin, who had a team-high 44 rushing yards, and rookie Audric Estime. He has now had single-digit carries in each of the last three games and figures to continue to share the load with McLaughlin and Estime in Week 13 versus the Cleveland Browns.
Nov 25, 2024 10:30 AM EST
After being dropped by many fantasy managers following Week 10, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams is firmly back in the RB3/flex mix for an upcoming matchup against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders on the road in Week 12. Williams had only three touches and saw rookie Audric Estime take over the backfield in Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs, but Williams returned to lead-back duties in last week's blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons, carrying the ball nine times for 59 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches for 28 yards. Estime isn't going away, but the 24-year-old Williams' demise was premature. As long as he can be efficient, Williams could produce nicely as an RB3/flex this weekend against a banged-up Raiders defense that has been a top-10 matchup in fantasy this year for opposing RBs.
Nov 22, 2024 10:49 PM EST
After seeing only one carry in the Week 10 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams took over the backfield in the 38-6 blowout victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in Week 11. Williams finished with a team-high nine carries for 59 yards and a touchdown, adding four catches on five targets for 28 yards. Fantasy managers may have prematurely dropped Williams after his dud last week, but we can't completely blame you after the Broncos continually said rookie Audric Estime was in line for more work. We cannot write Williams off just yet in 2024, but Estime will continue to be involved in Denver's backfield after seeing nine touches for 25 scrimmage yards. The 24-year-old has 80-plus scrimmage yards in five of his last eight games and will be back on the RB3/flex radar in a plus Week 12 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Nov 18, 2024 12:23 AM EST
After his one-carry Week 10 versus the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams just can't be trusted in starting fantasy lineups for a Week 11 tilt against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Williams had been Denver's primary backfield option through the first nine weeks, but rookie Audric Estime took on a bigger role last week with a team-high 14 carries on 26 offensive snaps. Estime is expected to continue to see more reps in the offense, which made the 24-year-old Williams drop-worthy in a lot of fantasy leagues this past week. Williams should be able to top just one carry against the Falcons on Sunday and should remain involved in the passing attack, but if Estime continues to lead the backfield moving forward, Williams' days of fantasy relevance could be at an end. He was a low-upside RB3/flex in fantasy before Estime took the lead last weekend.
Nov 16, 2024 1:02 AM EST
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams set a new season-low for touches with only three in the 16-14 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in Week 10, carrying the ball just once for a gain of one yard while catching both of his targets for six yards. In a day in which neither team could get anything going on the ground -- the Broncos finished with 78 total rushing yards against a tough Chiefs defense -- Denver decided to feature rookie Audric Estime as their primary rusher. The rookie led the team with 14 rushing attempts and 53 yards. The workload distribution was a surprise after Williams had been more efficient on the ground in recent weeks, and it certainly won't make him more attractive as an RB3/flex in fantasy in a Week 11 home matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, where Williams should see more than just three touches.
Nov 11, 2024 10:42 AM EST
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