Javonte Williams Avoided The PUP List: Where Should I Draft Williams For Fantasy Football?

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams is making headlines by being cleared for contact just 10 months removed from tearing everything in his knee.

Entering his third NFL season, Williams was drafted as the RB12 last season but is currently going as the RB27. There are obvious concerns with his quick return from such a devastating injury which is baked into his current ADP.

Should you be drafting Williams in 2023, and where is it appropriate to snatch him up?

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What Did Javonte Williams Accomplish In 2022?

Javonte Williams only made it through three and a half games before tearing his ACL, PCL, and LCL. He was operating as a PPR machine in a historically bad offense, seeing 11 receptions for 65 yards in Week 1 against Seattle.

His freak athleticism had fantasy managers excited for 2022, but ultimately his season was cut very short with a horrible knee injury. Injuries like these typically take 18 months to recover from but after just 10 months, Williams has been cleared for contact and is full-go at training camp.

Where Should I Draft Javonte Williams In 2023?

Compared to last year, Williams has plummeted down draft boards due to concerns around his recovery. His current ADP has him as a sixth-round pick. Williams’ role is unknown going into the season, as he could be eased back from his injury and not be given a full workload.

Think back to J.K. Dobbins last season. He struggled to get going early after a similar injury and missed a chunk of the season before finally being back to himself late in the season. Either Williams is an absolute freak of nature and is fully back in action just 10 months removed from a devastating injury - which is the unlikely scenario - or he struggles and gets dinged up throughout the season much like Dobbins did.

Either way, Williams is worth drafting in the sixth round. If truly healthy, he will be receiving a majority of the Broncos’ workload at the end of the season when it matters for fantasy football. If his ADP starts to creep up into the fourth or fifth round, be wary. 

If drafting Williams at any point, be sure to also snag Samaje Perine. The re-injury risk for Williams is high and you don’t want to just throw away your sixth round pick. Drafting Perine later allows no hits to be taken in the event of reinjury.

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