For the second straight week, the Denver Broncos offense could get nothing going on the ground in a 13-6 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers in Denver. Running back Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie combined for 15 carries for 39 yards on the day. Williams had a team-high 11 carries for just 17 yards (1.55 yards per carry), but he salvaged his day by catching all five of his targets for 48 yards through the air. Although Williams has not looked good carrying the ball so far in 2024, his fantasy managers have to be happy with the fact that he out-touched McLaughlin 16 to three in Week 2 after McLaughlin out-touched him in the season opener. The 24-year-old heads into a Week 3 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Denver's lead back, but with rookie quarterback Bo Nix struggling to move the offense, it's hard to consider Williams as anything more than a low-upside RB3/flex.

From RotoBaller

Broncos' RB Javonte Williams averaged a dismal 1.5 yards per carry on 11 attempts in Sunday's loss against the Steelers.

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams had a pretty lackluster showing in the season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks, playing just over half the offensive snaps while carrying the ball eight times for 23 yards (2.9 yards per carry) and catching one of his two targets for no gain. Williams was out-touched by backup Jaleel McLaughlin 15-9, which was perhaps most concerning, on a day in which the Broncos couldn't really get anything going on offense in a hostile environment with rookie quarterback Bo Nix making his NFL debut. McLaughlin really did nothing to stand out, either, and Williams should be Denver's primary back heading into Week 2 against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. The 24-year-old Williams faces a below-average matchup and should be considered a low-upside RB3/flex in another tough matchup in which Denver's offense could struggle to move the ball consistently.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Broncos running back Javonte Williams had 23 rushing yards on eight carries, while catching one pass for no gain in Denver's opening day loss at Seattle. Dynasty Analysis: Yuck. Williams was out-carried by Jaleel McLaughlin 10-8, though neither of them looked particularly effective on the day. It's way too early to throw in the towel on Williams but this is a red flag after his disastrous 2023 season. Williams belongs on fantasy benches until Bo Nix can do enough to keep defenses honest as this Denver offense looks anemic at the moment.

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams had about the worst start his fantasy managers could have asked for in the 26-20 Week 1 loss at Lumen Field on Sunday to the Seattle Seahawks. Williams only saw eight carries for 23 yards (2.88 yards per carry) while catching one of his two targets for no gain in the passing game. In addition to his poor performance, Williams was out-touched 15 to eight by backup Jaleel McLaughlin and out-gained in total yardage 28 to 23. The Broncos offense wasn't moving the ball at all in rookie first-round quarterback Bo Nix's NFL debut, and the Denver ground game was especially poor against a Seahawks defense that was very generous against the run in 2023. Williams should lead the Broncos backfield in touches on most weeks, but he faces another difficult matchup in Week 2 against the Steelers, where he should be considered an RB3/flex.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams broke into the league in 2021 as an impressive tackle-breaking back with three-down potential and a bright future in Denver. Williams' fantasy stock has since tumbled, mainly because of devastating season-ending knee injury suffered in 2022. The 24-year-old didn't look the same in 2023, averaging a career-low 3.6 yards per carry in what was a below-average Denver offense led by quarterback Russell Wilson. However, Williams quietly played 16 games and finished with 774 yards and three touchdowns, adding a career-high 47 receptions for 228 yards and two more TDs. He heads into a Week 1 matchup in Seattle against a revamped Seahawks defense, although they did allow the second-most half-PPR points to RBs per game in 2023. As the clear lead back in Denver, expect the Broncos to lean heavily on Williams in Bo Nix's debut, putting him on the RB2/3 borderline in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Broncos running back Javonte Williams rushed 4 times for 15 yards and caught 1-of-2 targets for 5 yards in Denver's preseason opener. Dynasty Analysis: Even better, he looked like the clear starter and number one option for Denver. While Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime and possibly even Samaje Perine or Blake Watson nay be pushing him, it's evident Williams is in the lead and has a stranglehold on the position at the moment. Williams looks like a relatively cheap buy in dynasty leagues at the moment.

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams made the start in Sunday's preseason opener at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday against the hosting Indianapolis Colts and finished with four carries for only 15 yards while catching one of his two targets for a five-yard gain. Despite reports earlier this summer that Williams was potentially battling for a roster spot in 2024, he's the team's clear lead back ahead of Jaleel McLaughlin (seven carries for 30 yards, two catches for 26 yards), Samaje Perine (no catches on one target) and rookie Audric Estime (10 carries for 31 yards and a touchdown, three catches for 13 yards). Based on Sunday's preseason usage, Estime should have the leg up over Perine, whose one target led to an interception for quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Williams underwhelmed in 2023 but was also coming off a season-ending knee injury in 2022. If Denver's offense can take a step forward under either Stidham or rookie Bo Nix, Williams could be a steal as an RB3/flex in fantasy if he's more explosive another year removed from his knee injury.

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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that he wanted Javonte Williams to look more like he did during his final season at North Carolina with a goal weight of 220-to-221 pounds. Williams was praised by Payton for being in good shape and working on his condition. Following a 2023 season where Williams had looked a bit sluggish, the 24-year-old now competes to make the Broncos' roster as he's been the subject of rumors as a cut candidate. If Williams can hold off second-year pro Jaleel McLaughlin, rookie Audric Estime, and veteran Samaje Perine, Williams should maintain a lead role for the Broncos. Williams looks to improve his 3.6 yards per carry and with his ADP of 115.5, he's a value in the middle rounds of drafts to bounce back to the promise he had as a former second-round pick in 2021.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams took first-team reps in every drill at training camp on Wednesday. Head coach Sean Payton praised Williams, saying he lost weight and is in good shape with noticeably different conditioning. After looking a step slow all year and averaging 3.6 yards per carry over 217 rushing attempts in his first season following ACL, LCL, and PLC ligament tears, Williams is off on the right foot at practice despite rumors circulating that he could be a cut candidate this offseason. Still only 24 years old, Williams will still need to hold off the speedy Jaleel McLaughlin, rookie Audric Estime, and veteran Samaje Perine for a featured role in Denver's crowded backfield. If Perine ends up being a cap casualty, however, Williams' ADP of 115.5 would start to come up. For now, he should continue to be treated as an RB3 option in a weak Broncos offense.

From RotoBaller

The Denver Post's Troy Renck believes that Denver Broncos running backs Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine are competing for one roster spot in training camp and the preseason this year as the Broncos look to improve what was a very lackluster rushing offense in 2023. Williams is entering his fourth NFL season and averaged 3.2 yards per carry over the final 10 games last year. The poor efficiency could be attributed to it being his first full season coming off a serious knee injury, and he looked bigger and stronger this spring. Perine is a trusted third-down weapon that excels in pass protection. Rookie Audric Estime is going to make the team, and if he really impresses, it could put Williams' spot in jeopardy. We'd be surprised if the Broncos outright cut Williams, but it's a reminder of how far his fantasy stock has fallen after he had RB1 upside heading into the 2022 season.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Broncos running back Javonte Williams is reportedly in a heavy competition as the starting running back for the Broncos. Dynasty Analysis: Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Samaje Perine, Audric Estime and undrafted rookie Blake Watson are all vying for time in what looks to be a newly re-shaped offense. Williams is the clear favorite to land the lion's share of carries but that's no sure thing after he mostly disappointed last season. Of all the position battles coming up, this one is of keen interest to dynasty managers. At this point, Williams is a hold in dynasty leagues but a shaky one at best.

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams "will face a challenging battle" to maintain his role heading into the 2024 season, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. He notes that the same is true for Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin. It appears as though all three holdover running backs in Denver have reduced job security after the team drafted Audric Estime and signed Blake Watson. There will be plenty of competition throughout the offseason as the Broncos work to determine which running backs are worthy of key volume in 2024. However, as of now, it appears there's at least some favor for Estime and Watson while the three returners may need to do a little extra to prove themselves. From a fantasy perspective, Williams and Estime seem like the most intriguing names, but Perine and Watson (and even McLaughlin) benefit from their pass-catching skills.

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