Williams has seen the most first-team reps in Dallas' backfield competition, though no running back has yet emerged as a clear favorite for the No. 1 role, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams was held out of action during Dallas' 31-21 preseason loss to the Rams on Saturday, as was the case for many of the Cowboys' key players. With Miles Sanders (knee) and Jaydon Blue (heel) kept out by default due to injuries, though, the only real insight into the current backfield pecking order provided by exhibition action to date may be that Deuce Vaughn was given the green light to suit up, an unsurprising indication that he's entrenched as a reserve or, at best, rotational option. While it remains to be seen whether Williams regains the explosiveness he touted prior to the severe knee injury he suffered in 2022, he brings ample starting experience, three-down versatility and reliability in pass protection, traits that could be enough to secure the lead backfield role.

Williams and Miles Sanders seem to be competing for a starting job, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News.

EDGE Analysis

It's no surprise the veteran free-agent signings are getting most of the first-team snaps during the first week of training camp, but it may not be long before rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue makes a push. There's also no guarantee a starting job comes with a lot of touches, as head coach Brian Schottenheimer has hinted at using a rotation during the regular season. If nothing else, Williams' reputation as a good pass blocker should get him on the field some in the event Sanders and/or Blue ends up earning more touches.

Williams is in line to sign a one-year contract with the Cowboys, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal has a base salary of $3 million with the potential to earn $3.5 million overall via incentives. This move appears to be the first step in moving on from Rico Dowdle, Dallas' starting running back last year, as Deuce Vaughn and Malik Davis are the other players at the position under contract in 2025. There's still time for the Cowboys to add via free agency and especially the draft, but as the backfield stands, Williams is the clear No. 1 option at the moment. In four campaigns with the Broncos, the 2021 second-round pick averaged 4.0 yards per carry and 62.2 yards from scrimmage per game while scoring 16 total touchdowns in 54 regular-season contests.

Williams carried the ball seven times for 29 yards and caught both his targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 31-7 wild-card round loss to the Bills.

EDGE Analysis

He led all Broncos running backs in touches plus rushing and scrimmage yards, but QB Bo Nix paced the whole team in rushing yards with 43. Williams will reach free agency this offseason, but his market could be flimsy after he managed just 513 rushing yards on 139 carries for a 3.7 YPC with four TDs over 17 regular-season appearances. The 2021 second-round pick did have a career-best year as a pass catcher though, hauling in 52 of 70 targets for 346 yards, and he could find a role as a third-down option in 2025. The explosiveness he showed in college and over his first 21 NFL games before suffering a serious knee injury seems unlikely to return, however.

Williams rushed five times for 28 yards and caught three of four targets for 50 yards in Sunday's 38-0 win over the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

Williams played a minimal role in the Broncos ground attack Sunday, attempting just five rushes while fellow running backs Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime handling 16 and 12 carries, respectively. With just a 23 percent snap share, the 24-year-old Williams remained in his depth role and should continue to do so when the Broncos visit the Bills in the wild card round of the playoffs.

Williams failed to record a single carry and caught both of his targets for zero yards in Saturday's 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals.

EDGE Analysis

Williams was not involved in the Broncos' rushing attack Saturday, marking the first time this season in which he did not have at least one rushing attempt in a contest. Despite leading Denver's running back group with 22 offensive snaps, the veteran was unable to get involved. Instead, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime handled 10 and nine carries, respectively. Williams is continuing to prove that he is not a reliable fantasy option, which should be how fantasy managers view him heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Chiefs.

Williams rushed four times for 24 yards and brought in seven of 11 targets for 29 yards in the Broncos' 34-27 loss to the Chargers on Thursday night.

EDGE Analysis

Williams saw rookie Audric Estime outpace him carries by five overall, but the former was the surprise leader in targets for the Broncos on the night. The surprising amount of attention Williams commanded from Bo Nix as a receiver led to the running back tying the second-highest single-game catch total of his career. However, Williams has now logged single-digit carries in six consecutive games, leaving his value primarily to PPR formats despite a favorable Week 17 road matchup against the Bengals on Saturday, Dec. 28.

Williams rushed six times for 15 yards and caught two of three targets for eight yards in Sunday's 31-13 win over the Colts.

EDGE Analysis

Williams continued his late-season slump, which has seen him exceed 25 total yards only once in his last five games. Jaleel McLaughlin led Denver's running backs with seven carries for 21 yards prior to exiting due to a quadriceps injury, and quarterback Bo Nix finished as the team's leading rusher with eight rushing attempts for 23 yards. There could be more opportunities available for Williams if McLaughlin's unable to suit up against the Chargers on Thursday, though rookie Audric Estime could also see more touches.

Williams rushed four times for one yard and a touchdown while catching one of two targets for three yards in Monday's 41-32 win over the Browns

EDGE Analysis

Javonte played 30 of the Broncos' 66 offensive snaps Monday, ahead of both Jaleel McLaughlin (24) and Audric Estime (8). Despite seeing the most playing time of the group, Williams saw fewer touches than McLaughlin, who finished the game with 14 carries for 84 yards. A complete disaster was avoided when the 24-year-old Williams was able to score his fourth touchdown of the season on a two-yard run in the first quarter. It appears head coach Sean Payton is committed to using a hot-hand approach with Denver's backfield, so fantasy managers may want to avoid the entire situation down the stretch. The Broncos will host the Colts on Dec. 15 following their Week 14 bye.

Williams rushed eight times for a loss of two yards while catching two of four targets for six receiving yards in Sunday's 29-19 win over Las Vegas.

EDGE Analysis

Williams squandered opportunity after opportunity while the Broncos played with a lead for most of the second half. The 2021 second-round pick only finished with a positive fantasy score by gaining six yards as a receiver. Jaleel McLaughlin wound up leading the Broncos with 44 rushing yards off of one less carry than the starter. Williams continues to underwhelm as Denver's lead rusher, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him lose carries to more productive backups as the season progresses following yet another dud. For now, Williams figures to remain an option for those in deeper leagues for next Monday's tilt against the Browns.