The Denver Broncos had their sights on running back Javonte Williams and traded up early in the second round of the NFL Draft to get him. The former University of North Carolina running back will be competing for touches with veteran Melvin Gordon. Should you draft Williams in fantasy football this year?
How does Javonte Williams’ collegiate performance impact his fantasy outlook for 2021?
Williams and Michael Carter terrorized opposing defenses at North Carolina just like the Bash Brothers were enforcers on the ice in the Mighty Ducks film franchise. Williams’ final season in Chapel Hill was exquisite.
The dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate finished last season with 157 rushing attempts, 1,140 rushing yards, and 19 rushing touchdowns. His rushing yards were the 13th-highest total in the UNC history, sixth-most in the country, and third-best in the ACC. Williams generated 27 rushes of 15+ yards, averaging a robust 7.3 yards per carry. He was also solid in the passing game, catching 25 passes for 305 yards and 3 touchdowns. Furthermore, his arrival also impacts the fantasy outlook of Gordon.
The dynamic duo
Williams had an excellent training camp and has looked great in the Broncos’ preseason games, while Gordon missed Denver’s first two contests with a groin injury. The Broncos enter this season with 127 unaccounted rushing attempts due to the departure of Phillip Lindsay. Additionally, Gordon is entering the final year of his contract. All of these signs point to Williams splitting opportunities with Gordon when the Broncos open the regular season against the Giants.
Eerily similar skillset
Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur could finally have the formidable running game he desired last season. Thanks to their similar skill set, Shurmur can use Williams and Gordon interchangeably without tipping off the defense. Williams is younger than Gordon and more athletically gifted at this stage of his career. Thus, this is a scenario where Gordon could be phased out of the backfield as the season progresses.
Williams has the ability to be deployed as a three-down back. He’s talented enough to transcend mediocre offensive line play and has flashed glimpses during the preseason of all the traits that made him exceptional in college. Williams has the potential to be a league-winner similar to how Jonathan Taylor and David Montgomery were in 2020.
Underestimated offensive line
The Broncos will have a high percentage of their starters on the offensive line returning this season. Continuity is always a great thing when it comes to line play. Denver has one of the top offensive line coaches in the NFL in Mike Munchak. The Broncos are expected to lean heavily on their running game this season.
GM George Paton’s success in scouting running backs
Williams averaged nearly 8 yards per touch over three seasons at UNC. It’s easy for NFL scouts to become enamored with him once you see Williams’ film and statistical results. The same can be said for George Paton, who served as the Vikings’ assistant general manager and Vice President of Player Personnel before joining the Broncos.
Paton had success in scouting running backs in Minnesota such as Dalvin Cook, Latavius Murray, and Jerick McKinnon. As one of Paton’s first high-profile selections as the Broncos GM, Williams will be provided every opportunity to succeed in Denver.
Should you draft Javonte Williams in 2021?
Yes. Williams possesses a great deal of upside in a Broncos’ offense that is projected to provide its running backs around 490 opportunities. According to Fleaflicker’s ADP, he is the RB27 with an ADP of 64. That’s a nice value for Williams, who is in an excellent position to outperform his ADP.