The Dallas Cowboys running back room has been heavily watched this free agency period, and they just made their first move with Javonte Williams.
Javonte Williams Contract Terms
According to Tom Pelissero, Javonte Williams is signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys ($3.5 million max with incentives).
RELATED: See other important free-agent moves here.
Fantasy Football Impact
The impact of this move largely depends on what the Dallas Cowboys decide to do with free agent Rico Dowdle. Dowdle finished the 2024 season as the RB23 in point-per-reception (PPR) scoring, averaging 12.6 fantasy points per game. In comparison, Williams finished as RB30, averaging 9.5 fantasy points per game. In most of the Denver Broncos' games last season, the running back touches were split between Williams, Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, and quarterback Bo Nix. Coach Sean Payton relied on Williams more as a receiving back than using him for rushing touches. To drive this point home, Williams had 52 receptions, the seventh-most for the running back position. Note that this is the same number of receptions that Jahmyr Gibbs had, and Gibbs is well-known for his talents as a receiving back. Could this move to the Cowboys change how Williams is utilized?
If Dowdle does move on to another team, the lane could open up for Williams to occupy the bell-cow role and own the majority of the rushing touches. Potentially, with this scenario, the Cowboys could bring in a rookie via the NFL Draft, giving Williams the starting role until the rookie acclimates. Williams, 25, could see a fresh start in 2025.
We can't discount the fact that other free-agent running backs, including Nick Chubb and J.K. Dobbins, are still available. These are other options the Cowboys could bring in to pair with Williams if Dowdle departs.
In the unlikely event that Dowdle stays, Williams could find himself in a backup role, perhaps serving as a passing-down back. But is that so bad? Last season, Williams' rushing efficiency was just 3.7 yards per carry. A team like the Cowboys, who are trying to reinvigorate their run game, may not trust Williams in the lead role. Whatever direction the Cowboys take with their backfield, it's more likely than not that Williams will be used for depth and to back up someone else.
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The Fantasy Football Fallout
With Williams exiting, the Broncos' backfield becomes even murkier. Sure, McLaughlin and Estime showed promise in different aspects last year. However, neither rose to the occasion to secure a dominant role. With a rushing quarterback like Bo Nix, is it possible for the Broncos to have a true bellcow? Whatever happens there, this move doesn't create a noticeable loss for the Broncos.
Williams joins the Cowboys as a receiving threat and depth option in the backfield. Having another receiving option helps quarterback Dak Prescott. Depth receivers like KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Brooks may feel a slight hit in their snap counts with another receiving talent on the team.
Stock Watch
Risers
Fallers
Overview
Signing a one-year, $3 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys, Javonte Williams' fantasy football outlook remains uncertain. What we do know is that last year wasn't great for Williams. A one-year deal tells us that 2025 is an opportunity for Williams to prove what he's got.
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