Javonte Williams Fantasy Overview

2024 Summary

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Williams dropped ten pounds last summer, but it didn’t translate to a fantasy rebound.

The second-year Bronco tallied 513 rushing yards and 4 TDs across 17 games. He added 52 catches -- tied for sixth-most among RBs -- for 346 yards and 0 scores.

Two of Williams' scores arrived in a Week 7 game at New Orleans. He also posted only four games with 50+ rushing yards.

Williams finished 30th in total PPR points and 37th in points per game. He recorded three top-12 fantasy finishes, with two others inside the top-24.

Williams was more likely to hurt fantasy lineups, though. He finished six weeks at RB35 or worse.

Usage & Role

Williams ranked 21st among RBs in total snaps. Yet he ranked much lower in carry share – 47th – despite playing all 17 games.

His 8.1 carries per game barely exceeded Jaleel McLaughlin's mark of 7.1. Williams hit 10+ carries in six of his first nine games but fell shy of the mark in each of his remaining nine matchups (including the postseason).

Williams held a clearer edge in route rate (44%) over McLaughlin (23%). That helped him generate nine games with at least four targets.

Efficiency Metrics

There was optimism that Williams could reach his peak, rookie-year form. Beyond the weight cut, he was also further removed from a 2022 ACL/LCL tear.

Instead, Williams averaged only 3.7 yards per carry – just a slight uptick from 2023. He lacked explosiveness with only one run of 20+ yards. And he recorded the third-worst rush yards over expected per attempt (-0.6), per Next Gen Stats.

Offensive Context

The Broncos supplied a fine offensive environment.

QB Bo Nix quickly acclimated to the NFL and helped lead Denver to a tenth-place finish in points per game.

Williams also ran behind a reliable O-line. Denver finished 11th in PFF’s run blocking grades and first in ESPN’s run block win rate.

Historical Production & Trends

Williams hasn’t been able to match his pre-injury performance.

In 250 carries pre-injury, Williams recorded:

• 4.4 yards per carry
• 3.45 yards after contact per attempt
• 0.31 missed tackles forced per attempt

But in 363 carries post-injury:

• 3.6 YPC
• 2.55 YAC per attempt
• 0.15 missed tackles forced per attempt

Isolating 2024, Williams set career lows in YAC per attempt (2.40), Breakaway Percentage (12.5%), and PFF Elusive Rating (37.3).

His receiving metrics rebounded, though, with 6.7 yards per catch and 7.6 yards after catch per reception.

Injury History

Williams played all 17 games. He missed only one game in 2023 (hip flexor).

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

Williams joined Dallas on a one-year deal worth $3 million ($1 million guaranteed). Notably, he signed right at the start of free agency.

Consider Williams the early favorite to lead this backfield in touches, although it’s certainly not a lock.

Days after his signing, the Cowboys added RB Miles Sanders. Now 28, he hasn't carried fantasy value since 2022. He managed just 3.7 yards per carry on 55 attempts with Carolina in 2024.

Sanders’ contract calls for only $167,500 in guarantees, so he may not even make the Week 1 roster.

Keep an Eye on This Rookie

Perhaps the most threatening competition came via Round 5 pick Jaydon Blue. The Texas product brings sub-4.4 speed and one of the best receiving skill sets in the 2025 class.

The drawbacks are clear. He stands only 5’9, 196 pounds, so a high-volume role is unlikely. He also exited college with just 214 carries across three seasons.

Ball security is another area to watch. Blue fumbled five times on 176 touches last season.

Supporting Cast

Dak Prescott’s health will make or break this offense. The veteran has missed at least five games in three of the past five seasons.

The good news? He’s healthy following a 2024 hamstring tear. Dak’s now surrounded by arguably the best WR duo of his career after the George Pickens trade.

There’s no doubting the potential up front. Dallas will start three former first-round picks, including rookie G Tyler Booker. He’ll step in for long-time starter Zach Martin, who retired this offseason.

Ultimately, this supporting cast shouldn’t supply a barrier to rushing production.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

Dallas promoted OC Brian Schottenheimer to HC.

He’ll retain play-calling duties over new OC Klayton Adams, who arrives after spending the past two seasons as Arizona’s O-line coach.

In 14 seasons as an OC, Schottenheimer has five top-10 finishes in rush attempts. Just note that his QBs for three of those seasons included Chad Pennington and Mark Sanchez.

As for Adams, he’s on record as saying that he wants to add a physical element to Dallas’ ground game. The unit ranked 19th in PFF’s run-blocking grades in 2024.

"The same thing that I want from every player on offense, and that is to create violence in the game," Adams said regarding his message to players. "Be aggressive, run, hit, I think that every decision that we make schematically needs to lean that direction. So if there's a gray area, what is going to allow these guys to play more free and run and hit and be violent?"

Our current projections have Dallas as one of the pass-heaviest teams in the league. But there’s room for more balance if one of the RBs can emerge.

"From what I've seen, I feel like they're trying to run the ball a lot," Williams said after a May practice. "Then, we've got a lot of playmakers on the outside and a great o-line, a great quarterback, so they're going to do their thing too, but I feel like getting the run game off the ground is something that they've been preaching on."