Broncos happy with Javonte Williams resurgence but know they ‘have to stop him’ against Cowboys
Williams has always possessed the potential to become a game-changer.
He showed it as a rookie in 2021, rushing for 1,219 yards and seven scores on 203 carries and 43 catches, but four games into his sophomore season he tore his ACL and suffered further knee damage.
Head coach Sean Payton arrived in 2023 and still relied on Williams as a leader in the backfield, but the former second-rounder’s explosiveness has seemingly been sapped. After averaging 4.4 yards per carry before his knee injury, Williams managed just 3.6 yards per carry from 2023 to 2024, and this offseason landed Dallas on a cheap one-year, $3 million contract.
He upended expectations in short order, scoring two touchdowns in the Cowboys’ season opener, and since then he has topped 75 rushing yards in all but one game. In three of his last five games, he has eclipsed 6 yards per carry. His 5.3 YPC total is nearly a yard above his previous single-season high, and his 84.6 rushing yards per game exceeds his previous high (53.1) by more than 30 yards.
Simply put, Williams has been a revelation for the Cowboys’ offense, which ranks second in scoring and first in yards, thanks in part to Williams keeping his defenses honest so quarterback Dak Prescott can gain an advantage through the air.
The Broncos fortunately made their own move in June, signing JK Dobbins to a one-year, $5.25 million contract, for which the veteran back rewarded them with 523 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
If Denver hadn’t found a suitable replacement through a combination of Dobbins and second-round rookie RJ Harvey, who progressed slowly with 264 yards from scrimmage but showed flashes of brilliance, perhaps seeing Williams come to town after finally returning to form three years after the injury would sting to some extent.
Instead, the Broncos, atop the AFC West at 5-2, can celebrate their former RB’s ascension while preparing to block it.
“I’m one of his biggest fans,” Payton said Friday. “I think he found a great opportunity. Talk about a wonderful… You’ve covered him longer than I’ve coached him, but he’s a great guy, a great player, smart. I’m happy to see the success he’s having. … [Dallas is] at the top of the league offensively for many reasons. The tight end, the skill receivers, the running back, the quarterback, those pieces you’re looking for. Our defense will be put to the test, so I look forward to the challenge.”
The Broncos are scheduled to face Williams and the Cowboys on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
