Javonte Williams

The 2023 season was a real slog for Williams, who had to carry the lead-back workload for a cursed Denver offense while returning from ACL, PCL and LCL tears suffered in Week 4 of 2022. That's a lot to deal with, yet Williams surpassed 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 16 games. If his surgically repaired knee is stronger in 2024, that alone could allow his numbers to improve even if the rest of the Denver offense remains dreary. The 2021 second-round pick averaged 4.4 YPC over his first two seasons while breaking one tackle for every 4.6 carries, and he could get back to that form this year after averaging just 3.6 YPC and one broken tackle per 7.5 carries in 2023. The duo of Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime lurks to potentially steal snaps from Williams again, though the former is really only a threat to handle passing downs and might even be a salary-cap casualty before Week 1. Williams is set to handle the lead role in the final year of his rookie contract, and that might come with more playing time after he averaged just 30.8 snaps per game last season.

What could have been a promising 2022 instead ended Week 4 with an ACL tear, which in Williams' case is even more concerning given that he also suffered an LCL tear. Reports on his recovery were positive throughout spring, but it's difficult to pinpoint a return date and specify the workloads he'll see initially. His main selling point as a 2021 second-round pick was his ability to break tackles at an unusual pace, and it translated from college to the pros his rookie season when Williams led the league with 31 broken tackles on rush attempts while taking only 202 carries in a timeshare with Melvin Gordon. His returns as a pass catcher have also been promising to this point, with 75 targets on his first 657 snaps and only four drops en route to a 59-392-3 receiving line. Those numbers hint at 60-catch upside once he's back at full strength, but the problem for that theory is the Broncos' signing of Samaje Perine, who often spelled Joe Mixon on passing downs in Cincinnati. The former Bengal is also the favorite to work as the lead rusher if Williams isn't ready for Week 1, with Denver otherwise rostering late-round or undrafted RBs that were cut by other teams. It'll be Williams' backfield if he gets back to full strength, and the whole offense may look better after the Broncos hired Sean Payton and spent big on G Ben Powers and T Mike McGlinchey.

While Williams wasn't the most productive rookie running back in the league last season, he may have been the most impressive. Despite working in a timeshare with Melvin Gordon and seeing more than 15 carries in a game only twice, Williams topped 900 rushing yards and averaged 4.4 yards per carry. He also had a league-leading 31 broken tackles on only 203 carries, while the only other two backs to rack up 25 or more (Jonathan Taylor and Najee Harris) needed over 300 carries to do it. Williams doesn't have great speed (4.55 40), but his power and burst allow him to smash through holes and suggest he has significant upside in the red zone, an area where he didn't see a lot of use as a rookie. The Broncos offense will look much different in 2022 with new QB Russell Wilson, who could help the team's running game by sustaining drives and adding red-zone trips even if there's more focus on throwing the ball. The real problem is Williams' new coach, along with Gordon's continued presence on the roster. Nathaniel Hackett demonstrated his love for backfield committees during his time as offensive coordinator in Green Bay, so while Williams might be capable of a bell-cow role, Gordon will remain involved to an unknown extent.

Built to be a lead back in the NFL at 5-10, 212, Williams split snaps with Michael Carter at North Carolina but seems more than capable of taking on a bigger workload in the pros. Williams has the burst and explosiveness to get through holes in a hurry and plow through would-be tacklers, using his powerful legs and lowering his pads to rack up yards after contact. Additionally, he has the agility and elusiveness to make some defenders miss when the opportunity presents itself. And while a 4.55-second 40-yard dash suggests he may lack breakaway speed at the next level, Williams did average 7.3 YPC his final season at UNC, showing an explosive element to his game. He even added 25 catches for 305 yards and three TDs last season, but his bread and butter in the NFL likely will be running between the tackles and moving the chains. Given his physical running style, eventual three-down potential and limited college usage, Josh Jacobs comparisons were probably inevitable, and Williams has the upside to make good on them (or better?) if he can take the lead role from Melvin Gordon.