Fantasy football managers are always clamoring for solid running back production, and many have been calling for Javonte Williams to take over the Denver backfield all season for just that reason. However, it hasn’t happened, and it doesn’t look like it will this season. With Melvin Gordon still in tow, what should fantasy managers expect from the Broncos backfield in Week 16?
Javonte Williams had a huge breakout game
Let’s look back to a couple of weeks ago. Gordon missed a game, and Williams balled out to the tune of 102 rushing yards, 76 receiving yards, and a receiving TD. It was a massive RB1 game. The collective voices of fantasy football nerds everywhere screamed, “it’s Javonte SZN!” Except for the fact that it’s not.
Since Gordon returned two weeks ago, he and Williams have gone right back to their usual even workload split. As frustrating as it is for fantasy managers that roster either option, it’s predictable, and predictability is important. At least we know what to expect.
This is a true backfield split
Over the last two games since Gordon has returned from injury, we’ve seen this backfield return to almost a dead-even split. Last week, for instance, Williams had 15 carries for 72 yards, while Gordon had 15 for 53 yards. A perfect 50/50 split in the backfield.
In fact, Williams has had exactly 15 carries in back-to-back games since Gordon returned, with one game going for 73 yards and the other going for 72. He also added 10 receiving yards in one and 9 in the other. Talk about consistency.
Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams fantasy expectations
There’s one wrinkle going into this week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders — it appears Drew Lock is going to start. Teddy Bridgewater continues to recover from a scary concussion that he suffered last week. He has yet to return to practice as of Thursday.
With Lock in the game, you can expect the passing attack to take more shots down the field. This could work to his favor against the Raiders and their banged-up and weak secondary. Regardless of what the passing game does, however, the run game will continue to be featured against a great matchup.
The reality is, these two running backs will continue to split work and be solid fantasy plays. The advantage goes to whichever finds the end zone. Over the last four weeks, the Raiders have given up the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.
If the Broncos want to minimize the turnover risks that Lock brings, they could opt to lean even more on their RB duo. In this matchup, which will see the Raiders without safety Johnathan Abram, their second-leading tackler, the running backs should have plenty of space. Both Williams and Gordon are solid RB2 plays this week, and there’s a possibility they both could go bananas.