Who Should I Start? Nick Chubb or Javonte Williams

Wednesday, April 23, 11:07 PM

While long-time Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (foot) remains on the free-agent market on the eve of the 2025 NFL draft, he doesn't appear to be considering retirement. "They've already wrote my ending when I'm just getting started," Chubb wrote on Instagram, adding a bat emoji. Chubb also posted a video on his social media page of him squatting significant weight, which is something he hadn't really done since a devastating knee injury that he suffered early in the 2023 season. The 29-year-old second-rounder and four-time Pro Bowler returned to play in eight games for the Browns in 2024 but didn't look like the same guy, averaging a career-worst 3.3 yards per carry on 102 rushing attempts for 332 yards and three touchdowns. Chubb also suffered a season-ending foot fracture in December, which no doubt has many teams skeptical about how much he can offer moving forward.

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.