Mile High Report
Running back Javonte Williams is scheduled to hit free agency. Should the Denver Broncos bring him back or explore other options to upgrade their running backs table for 2025?
The Denver Broncos are gearing up for their end of the year player evaluations. Once those are finished, they will begin strategizing and concocting early plans to improve their team this offseason. Finding a way to bolster their running back stable will undoubtedly be a primary endeavor of theirs via free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.
One player they will have to make an in-house decision on is Javonte Williams. The Broncos moved up for Williams in 2021 NFL Draft with the hopes he could become a great player and fixture in their offense. Alas, he hasn’t developed into the impact player Broncos Country had hoped over the past four seasons.
Let’s take a look at Williams’ tenure with the Broncos and whether or not they should keep him or go in a different direction.
Age: 24 | Experience: 5th | Height: 5’10” | Weight: 220 pounds
After a successful rookie season posting 1,219 yards from scrimmage, the future looked bright for the former North Carolina Tarheel. Consider me as someone who believed he had the potential to be one of the top running backs in the National Football League. Unfortunately, Williams suffered a catastrophic knee injury early on in the 2022 season. Since then, he hasn’t been the same and his play has steadily declined over the past two seasons.
In 2024, Williams had only 139 carries for 513 yards and 4 touchdowns. His 3.7 yards per carry average was the second worst of his career, and his rushing yard total was second worst in the NFL for a starting running back. As a receiver, he secured a lot of targets and had the second-most receptions on the team with 52 going for 346 yards. However, only 14 of those receptions resulted in a first down.
I’m honestly not too sure keeping Williams in the fold makes much sense at all. There might be two arguments going in his favor. First, he is the team’s best pass blocking back by a wide margin. Second, re-signing him wouldn’t cost a lot. However, the lack of explosive plays, consistency as a runner, and drop off in yards after contact is a huge issue.
Under Head Coach Sean Payton, the Broncos have struggled to run the ball consistently. The franchise has made significant investments on the offensive line. Their numbers in run block win rate are well above average. Even so, the production of the backs has still been lackluster. I’d chalk up the issues to both play-calling and personnel—leaning more toward the latter.
I’m skeptical about spending big in free agency to upgrade the running back position. Najee Harris is probably the best back available on the market,...
