If you watched the Denver Broncos last season, it was hard at times to watch them on offense. Getting the ground game is going to be a big thing for the Broncos, and they have two good fantasy football options in Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine. While Denver has to decide who their No. 1 running back is, fantasy managers will have to make their decision even before the game. Let’s compare the two running backs.
Javonte Williams Fantasy Outlook This Week
Williams is coming off a torn ACL that ended his season after only five games, but he is hoping to get back to the promise he showed his rookie year. In his first campaign, he rushed for 903 yards.
On Thursday, Payton made an announcement that should make fantasy managers who like Williams happy. When asked about Williams’ status for the opener against the Raiders, Payton said Williams would have a “big role.”
Sean Payton on Javonte Williams touches week 1 👀 pic.twitter.com/YZNHAYkiER
— DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) September 6, 2023
When healthy, Williams is a dynamic running back who is able to make plays in the run game, as well as the passing game. At 5’10”, 220 pounds, he is also capable of running through tackles and can wear opposing defenses out.
With this being Year 2 for Wilson as the quarterback, there should be more cohesion on that side of the ball. If Wilson can resemble more of the quarterback he was for much of his time in Seattle, this should only make Williams more formidable.
Samaje Perine Fantasy Outlook This Week
Perine has been a No. 2 running back most of his career, especially the last few years in Cincinnati with Joe Mixon. Perine is a strong, physical running back who fights for every last single yard.
One thing that makes it tough to decide between the two — is there an expectation that handoffs will be even? Especially with Williams coming back from injury, Perine may carry more of the workload in the early part of the season.
In his three seasons with the Bengals, he scored only 11 touchdowns. Four of those were in the passing game last year, showing he can add value as a pass catcher.
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This could be something to think of heading into this week, as the Raiders pass defense was not good last year. Las Vegas ranked 29th in passing defense (242.8 yards per game), so the Bronco’s running backs could definitely make some plays out of the backfield.
While Perine is a very good physical running back, he lacks big play explosiveness to turn a solid fantasy game into a huge game. Last year, his longest play from scrimmage was only 32 yards.
Which of the Broncos’ Running Backs Should You Start?
Once Payton said the words “Big Role” in Week 1, that was the answer to this question. Williams has big-play ability and is capable of scoring whenever he touches the ball.
With the expectation being both of these guys are going to get the ball around the same amount, the question is — which player has more big-play ability? The answer to that is absolutely Williams, and he could be a star in Week 1 against the porous Raiders defense.
While Williams isn’t an RB1 or RB2 this week in most situations, he could be a very good flex this week and lead your team to victory.