Javonte Williams Saves His Day With Five Receptions
Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie combined for 15 carries for 39 yards on the day. Williams had a team-high 11 carries for just 17 yards (1.55 yards per carry), but he salvaged his day by catching all five of his targets for 48 yards through the air. Although Williams has not looked good carrying the ball so far in 2024, his fantasy managers have to be happy with the fact that he out-touched McLaughlin 16 to three in Week 2 after McLaughlin out-touched him in the season opener. The 24-year-old heads into a Week 3 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Denver's lead back, but with rookie quarterback Bo Nix struggling to move the offense, it's hard to consider Williams as anything more than a low-upside RB3/flex.
Source: NFL.com
For the second straight week, the Denver Broncos offense could get nothing going on the ground in a 13-6 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers in Denver. Running back Source: NFL.com
Broncos Could Re-Sign Javonte Williams
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.
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Denver Broncos general manager George Paton said at the NFL Combine on Tuesday that the team could re-sign impending free-agent running back Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Broncos Not Expected To Re-Sign Javonte Williams
Javonte Williams this offseason. Williams, a former second-round pick in 2021 out of North Carolina, entered the 2024 season as the team's unquestioned lead back, but poor efficiency on the ground led to the Broncos going with a committee approach in the backfield halfway through the year that also involved Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime. The 24-year-old came into the NFL as a bruising, tackle-breaking lead-back option for Denver, but since suffering a torn ACL in his sophomore season in 2022, he has not been the same, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry while combining for 1,287 rushing yards and only seven rushing TDs the last two seasons. Despite leading Denver with 513 rushing yards in 2024, Williams will likely struggle to find a lead-back role on the open market.
Source: The Denver Gazette - Chris Tomasson
The Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson writes that the Denver Broncos are not expected to re-sign impending free-agent running back Source: The Denver Gazette - Chris Tomasson
Javonte Williams Has Poor Showing As Lead Back
Javonte Williams tallied 29 yards on seven attempts during their loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon. Williams also brought in both of his targets for 14 yards. With Audric Estime listed as a healthy scratch, Williams led the Denver backfield, as the depth options, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie combined for just four rushing attempts. However, quarterback Bo Nix led the team in rushing with 43 yards. This was another disappointing game for Williams, as he had trouble finding consistency in the Denver rushing attack. Over the final six games of the regular season, the North Carolina product averaged a poor 2.4 yards per carry and only 11.0 yards per game. Williams saw his fantasy value decrease this season after falling into a committee in the Denver backfield and will look to rebound in 2025.
Source: ESPN.com
Denver Broncos running back Source: ESPN.com
Javonte Williams A Touchdown-Dependent RB Against The Bills
Javonte Williams doesn't have much upside at all while involved in a three-man RB committee as the Broncos head to Buffalo on Sunday to face the Bills at Orchard Park in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Especially if the Broncos are forced to throw the ball often -- they are nearly 10-point underdogs in this one -- Williams' workload will most likely be light. It means that he'll probably need to find the end zone, which he's done only four times this season, in order to pay off for fantasy managers using him as an RB2 in DFS or playoff leagues. The 24-year-old had a mediocre 3.7 yards per carry on 139 rushing attempts in 2024 and just did not have the burst he showed early in his career. Williams had only five carries to Jaleel McLaughlin's 16 and rookie Audric Estimes's 12 in the Week 18 win over the Chiefs. Opportunities will be limited for Williams to do damage against Buffalo.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Denver Broncos running back Source: Pro Football Reference
Read More News