Javonte Williams DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

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 with the Cowboys likely adding a running back during the upcoming NFL draft. They will likely use Williams in some type of committee role. 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.

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.