Who Should I Start? Javonte Williams or Raheem Blackshear

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.

Tuesday, April 1, 2:21 PM

The Carolina Panthers are re-signing running back Raheem Blackshear to a one-year deal, according to NFL.com. After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, Blackshear spent the 2022 preseason with the Buffalo Bills before landing with the Panthers, where he has been ever since. In his three-year NFL career, the 26-year-old has totaled 52 carries for 203 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and 16 receptions for 138 yards through the air in 41 games. With Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, and potentially Jonathon Brooks (knee) in the Carolina backfield next season, it would be a surprise if Blackshear ends up on the fantasy football radar.