Dallas Cowboys DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams broke into the league in 2021 as an impressive tackle-breaking back with three-down potential and a bright future in Denver. Williams' fantasy stock has since tumbled, mainly because of devastating season-ending knee injury suffered in 2022. The 24-year-old didn't look the same in 2023, averaging a career-low 3.6 yards per carry in what was a below-average Denver offense led by quarterback Russell Wilson. However, Williams quietly played 16 games and finished with 774 yards and three touchdowns, adding a career-high 47 receptions for 228 yards and two more TDs. He heads into a Week 1 matchup in Seattle against a revamped Seahawks defense, although they did allow the second-most half-PPR points to RBs per game in 2023. As the clear lead back in Denver, expect the Broncos to lean heavily on Williams in Bo Nix's debut, putting him on the RB2/3 borderline in fantasy.

The Dallas Cowboys have officially activated wide receiver CeeDee Lamb from the exempt list, and he is set to play on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns in the season opener. Lamb had been holding out before signing a four-year, $136 million contract extension, which includes a record $38 million signing bonus for wide receivers and $100 million guaranteed. His $34 million annual average makes him the second-highest-paid receiver, trailing only Justin Jefferson of the Vikings. Lamb was placed on the commissioner's exempt list while the Cowboys utilized a two-game roster exemption, which allowed them to keep a roster spot open as Lamb worked to get back into form after missing most of training camp. As Lamb returns for this challenging matchup against the strong Browns defense, he will have had limited preparation. Although he remains a must-start in fantasy leagues, it's wise to temper expectations for Week 1 as he shakes off the rust.

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (finger) is not carrying an injury designation into the team's divisional matchup against the New Orleans Saints. While limited in practice earlier in the week, Sanders practiced in full on Thursday and Friday. Although rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) is on the PUP list and will miss four games, there still isn't a fantasy-worthy role for Sanders on the Panthers. He'll be the direct backup to Chuba Hubbard on a low-powered offense. The former Eagle averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry in his first season in Carolina in 2023.

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (finger) was a full-go in practice on Thursday after he was limited on Wednesday. After being limited in the first official practice of the regular season, Sanders now looks ready to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Even with rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) missing the first four games of the season while on the Physically Unable to Perform list, Sanders belongs on benches to open the year as the clear backup behind starter Chuba Hubbard in Carolina's backfield. The 27-year-old didn't have much of a chance in the Panthers' atrocious offense in 2023 and averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry. He is, at best, an early-season handcuff for Hubbard in deeper fantasy leagues.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott continues to seek a new long-term deal just days before the start of the 2024 regular season as he gets ready to enter the final season of his current contract, but he and the Cowboys don't appear to be any closer in their talks. If the two sides cannot come to an agreement by this Sunday before their game against the Cleveland Browns, it opens up the possibility that he will indeed hit free agency next March. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that a deal does not feel like it's within striking distance right now. Contract issues aside, the 31-year-old veteran signal-caller is coming off one of his finest seasons in Dallas, but it once again ended in a playoff embarrassment in the wild-card round with a loss to the Packers. Prescott has one of the best wideouts in CeeDee Lamb, but he'll be more of a QB2 in fantasy in a tough road matchup in Week 1 against the Browns.