After signing a one-year, $3 million “prove it” deal in 2025, running back Javonte Williams proved it for the Dallas Cowboys
Javonte Williams parlayed a 1,338-yard, 13-touchdown season into a hefty raise from the Dallas Cowboys. After playing 2025 on a one-year deal for $3 million (just $1 million guaranteed), the former North Carolina Tar Heel responded with the best season of his five-year career.
Williams rang the bell today to the tune of three years and $24 million ($12 million GTD), taking him off the free agent market before it opens. He set career highs last season in carries (252), rushing yards (1,201), total touchdowns (13), yards/game, and yards/carry. Williams also had 67 first downs and a long run of 66 yards. He did not suit up for the final game of the season.
After breaking out as a rookie for over 900 yards despite starting only one game, Williams tore his ACL, LCL, and PLC in Week 4 of his second season. Various coaching philosophies and scheme changes occurred over the next two years. Williams had not realized his full potential until 2025. After the Broncos let him walk in free agency, he was a bright spot for the Cowboys, who had many questions at the position prior to the season.
Fantasy lowdown: Williams will return as the incumbent starter, providing stability at the position. Jaydon Blue dynasty managers already suffered through the growing pains of the rookie’s first season and will have to wait longer. It’s fair to assume Blue will compete with Malik Davis for the backup/handcuff role to Williams. The good news for those managers is that Blue just turned 22 in January, and Davis’ contract expires after 2026.
As for Williams, this shoots him back up the board in redraft and best ball leagues, where he currently sits around RB21. He should be an RB2 with RB1 upside as drafts get into full swing. Prior to the contact, Williams was coming off the board 60th overall in FastDraft best ball.
Author: Sam Schneider (@BuyAndSellYou)
A fourth-round pick out of the University of Texas in the ...
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hinted on 105.3 The Fan on ...
Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue (coach's ...
Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones expressed that running back Javonte Williams will be a priority to re-sign this offseason.
Javonte Williams was a pleasant surprise in 2025. He delivered the RB12 performance on the season for fantasy football and presented as a massive value in all formats due to a cheaper ADP. Heading into the 2026 offseason, the Cowboys plan to prioritize re-signing him.
Williams 1,201 rushing yards were 9th and his 13 touchdowns ranked 7th at the running back position. This potent combination helped unfurl one of the best fantasy football values in 2025. With the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cowboys would be prudent to sign Williams to an extension and look elsewhere for team building purposes. In what is becoming a yearly tradition, fantasy gamers will wishcast other running backs to the Cowboys, keeping Williams’ price point in dynasty at a price good for buyers.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer doesn’t foresee rookie running Jaydon Blue being active in the near future.
The Dallas Cowboys made a surprise move just ahead of their Week 1 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Rookie Jaydon Blue was inactive in favor of veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has stated he wants more consistency from Blue.
This likely has a lot to do with pass protection and keeping up with the speed and pace of the NFL. While Blue has excellent physical talent, coaches need reliability.
Javonte Williams did the most with the Week 1 opportunity as he had 2 1-yard touchdowns with 54 rushing yards off 15 carries. Miles Sanders had a 49-yard run, but was haunted by a lost fumble. Expect Blue to be inactive in Week 2, while Javonte Williams is a flex option. For redraft, Blue should only be stashed in deeper 12-team leagues.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
Javonte Williams fantasy stock gets a boost with a 2 touchdown performance against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The shape of the Dallas Cowboys backfield took a dramatic turn Thursday night against the Eagles. Just prior to the game, rookie Jaydon Blue was ruled inactive.
This opened up opportunity share for Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders to take a hold of the Cowboys running back job. Williams wasted no time as he pounded in 2 touchdowns on 15 rushing attempts and 54 rushing yards. Sanders had 53 rushing yards on 4 attempts.
The stats are misleading. Both of Williams’ touchdowns were 1-yarders and he averaged 3.6 yards per carry. Miles Sanders got 49 of his yards on 1 of his 4 carries, but also came away with a lost fumble. This is a great chance to sell high on Javonte Williams and the Sanders fumble should open the door for Jaydon Blue to get some playing time going forward.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
Jaydon Blue mixed in with the first team offense today at Cowboys training camp.
After being selected by the Cowboys in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, Jaydon Blue has become an intriguing rookie sleeper heading into 2025. Dallas was in the bottom five in rushing in 2024. They brought in Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency, but neither option figures to be a reliable bell cow.
Blue should carry moderate value in dynasty leagues; he won’t turn 22 until next January. In redraft, he’s currently being drafted 30 picks behind Javonte, give or take, and around guys like Rashad White and J.K. Dobbins.
Blue is a straight-line runner with decent speed and athleticism. He ran a 4.38 40-yard dash and his 10-yard split in just 1.52 seconds (good for 5th among all backs) at the combine. I like the idea of taking a chance on Blue in the later rounds, especially in Best Ball leagues. There’s a more than decent chance he carves out a significant role in the Cowboys’ offense, and the price is right.
– Blake Stachel (@bllakkay)
Dallas Cowboys rookie RB Jaydon Blue is having his work ethic questioned by the coaching staff.
The Dallas Cowboys selected Jaydon Blue in the 5th round of the NFL draft. The rookie enters a running back room that is ripe with opportunities. Hearing the news that coaches are questioning his work ethic, expressing that he is “borderline lazy,” is not the start fantasy managers wanted. The rookie RB attended OTAs and mini camp, but no news broke that he got reps with the first team offense.
The Cowboys hope that the 21-year-old can mature throughout his rookie contract, but for a team that desperately needs him to see the field in his rookie season, this is a major concern. The backfield includes Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and fellow rookie Phil Mafah. The veterans have the leg up on Blue for reps out of the backfield heading into training camp, but the lack of fantasy success shows Blue has an opportunity to produce; he will need to lock in and take advantage.
Williams currently has an Underdog ADP of 130, Miles Sanders at 188, and Jaydon Blue settling in at 147. With the news of Blue’s work habits coming to light, these ADPs are something to monitor moving forward.
Author: Dane Madoche(@FF_DaMaddog)
