Who Should I Start? Javonte Williams or De'Von Achane

Monday, March 10, 7:38 PM

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.

Sunday, May 18, 12:22 PM

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane had a strong season of overall production in 2024, rushing 203 times for 907 yards and six touchdowns while securing 78 of his 87 targets for 592 yards and another six scores. However, the speedster out of Texas A&M said he "left a lot of yards on the table" a season ago. "I always want to try to hit 1,000 yards and then 500 yards (receiving)," Achane said"I feel like I can do that as far as how much I'm being used and like the pass game that I was last year because I had a lot of receptions, and me watching film I felt like I left a lot of plays or I felt like I could have did more." Achane finished as the RB6 in total half-PPR fantasy points last year despite the Miami offense regressing mightily compared to the first two seasons of the Mike McDaniel tenure. The 23-year-old played in all 17 games, which is promising after he missed six games in his rookie campaign. While Achane's rushing efficiency predictably dropped in 2024, he remains an explosive ball carrier with chunk-play upside anytime he has the ball in his hands. He's a clear RB1 in 2025, and he could push to be a top-five performer in his third NFL campaign.