Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams carried the ball 15 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns during Thursday's season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. He also caught two of three targets for an additional seven yards through the air. Williams' final rushing line amounted to just 3.6 yards per carry, but he bailed out fantasy managers with a pair of goal-line touchdowns. Unfortunately, we can't expect him to continue scoring twice (or even once) per game, and the yardage inefficiency paints a much clearer picture than his touchdowns. Fantasy managers should continue to view Williams as a mid-range RB3/FLEX, especially with Miles Sanders continuing to rotate in.
Sep 5, 2025 12:42 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams makes his Cowboys debut in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but fantasy managers should temper expectations. Williams signed a one-year deal with Dallas and is listed atop the depth chart ahead of Miles Sanders and rookie Jaydon Blue. While the role is encouraging, the matchup is not. Philadelphia allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs last year and projects to force the Cowboys into a pass-heavy game script. Williams profiles as an RB4 this week, better suited for benches than starting lineups outside of deeper leagues.
Sep 3, 2025 10:32 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams will likely lead the team in rushing attempts against the Philadelphia Eagles. Purely by volume, he warrants consideration as a mid-range RB3/FLEX option in most fantasy leagues. In addition to rushing the football, he could carve out some targets, especially as the Cowboys wait to fully phase in Jaydon Blue. While Williams' volume and receiving upside are exciting, his matchup is not as glamorous. The Eagles allowed the seventh-fewest rushing yards, second-fewest rushing touchdowns, and the fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024. While some of last year's Eagles defense have departed, the team also brought in new faces to stop the run, including rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell. Not only could Williams' efficiency suffer as a result, but the Cowboys might also fall into an early deficit and feel more pressure to throw the ball downfield. Purely based on volume, Williams is a fringe fantasy starter in 12-team leagues, but the matchup is nothing to get excited about.
Sep 2, 2025 10:34 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams said he has not been told what his workload will be in the season opener on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. Williams also said he was "caught by surprise" by not playing in the preseason, but views it as a show of "confidence and trust" in him by the coaching staff. The 25-year-old is expected to be Dallas' lead running back early in the year, with veteran Miles Sanders and rookie Jaydon Blue also seeing touches out of the backfield. Williams has struggled with efficiency on the ground in recent years, averaging fewer than four yards per carry in each of the last two seasons while playing for the Denver Broncos. He profiles as a low-end RB3/high-end RB4 in fantasy, but is in danger of losing work over the course of the season if he fails to produce.
Sep 2, 2025 11:33 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams is listed as the team's RB1 on their first depth chart of the 2025 season, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Williams is followed on the RB depth chart by Miles Sanders and rookie Jaydon Blue (ankle). Williams saw most of the team's reps with the first-team offense during training camp, so this initial depth chart for Dallas has no surprises. Blue impressed the coaching staff during the summer, but he was never realistically going to enter his rookie season higher than RB3 on the depth chart, and an ankle/heel injury also cost him valuable reps near the end of the preseason. The 25-year-old Williams will get the first shot at lead-back duties in his first year in Dallas, but Sanders and Blue will also be involved, making him no better than a low-upside RB3/flex target in fantasy. Williams hasn't shown the same burst since tearing his ACL in 2022 with Denver.
Aug 29, 2025 7:06 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams "continues to see the most reps with the starters" among the team's backfield candidates, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. With Miles Sanders (knee) and Jaydon Blue (ankle/heel) both dealing with injuries, Williams may be a lock to open the season as the lead running back in Dallas. In 17 games for the Denver Broncos last season, Williams rushed for 513 yards and four touchdowns on 139 carries. He profiles as a mid-tier RB4 in fantasy whose upside lies in the potential volume of available touches in the Cowboys' backfield.
Aug 11, 2025 11:44 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams good a lot of work with the first-team offense at training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Williams signed a one-year deal with Dallas in free agency this offseason and is expected to share backfield duties in 2025 with Miles Sanders. The Cowboys also drafted Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, but they probably have a ways to go before threatening either Williams or Sanders for serious playing time in 2025. Williams, who was a second-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2021 out of North Carolina, impressed with 903 rushing yards in his first season, but he hasn't been the same tackle-breaking RB since tearing his ACL in his sophomore season in 2022. He should be the favorite to lead Dallas' backfield in touches, but for fantasy purposes, he's merely an RB3/flex target.
Jul 22, 2025 7:10 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams was seen taking reps with the first team during the portion of last Tuesday's OTAs that was open to the media, according to Tommy Yarrish of DallasCowboys.com. Williams signed with Dallas during the offseason, and their crowded backfield now features Williams, Jaydon Blue, and Miles Sanders, among other depth pieces. While this update from Yarrish could provide some insight into the Cowboys' backfield dynamic, it's important to note that the regular season is still several months away and the depth chart is destined to change. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer echoed this sentiment, saying, "It's too early to tell. Last year, we went into it thinking it's going to be by committee and then at the end of the year, we changed that." He noted that Williams and Sanders got an early jump on the competition by signing during the offseason, but even Blue has made impressive progress in the few weeks since being drafted.
May 26, 2025 9:42 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams is ready for a fresh start after inking a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the team in March. The 25-year-old showed promise during his inaugural season, finishing with 1,219 yards from scrimmage while combining for seven touchdowns. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in October 2022 and didn't look like the rookie version in his final two years in Denver. However, Williams recently reported he's finally feeling good after sustaining the injury nearly three years ago. "I feel completely like myself," said Williams. "I probably can get more flexible and things like that, but as far as healing up, that I feel like is done." The 2021 No. 35 overall pick is eager to prove himself, especially now that he feels as well as he did before the knee injury. The backfield is crowded in Dallas, with Miles Sanders signing with the club this offseason. Deuce Vaughn is also still on the roster, at least for now, and the Cowboys bolstered the backfield even more by adding Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah via the 2025 NFL Draft. Yet, it appears Williams is the early favorite to sit atop the depth chart heading into Week 1, considering he's taken the bulk of first-team snaps at OTAs. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer plans to utilize the run more often, so there could be plenty of reps for multiple backs. If anything, Williams seems to be in line to handle most of the touches to begin the 2025-26 campaign. With that in mind, the upside is there, but fantasy managers should be prepared to draft an insurance policy in case Williams cedes carries as the year progresses.
May 24, 2025 10:54 PM EST
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
Copyright 2025 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com.
