Can Javonte Williams Save Career With Cowboys?

Next season could be running back Javonte Williams' last chance to save his NFL career. 

Williams — whom the Denver Broncos selected with pick No. 35 in the 2021 NFL draft — flashed promise at the start of his career. In 17 games during his rookie season, the North Carolina product finished with 1,219 yards (903 rushing and 316 receiving) and seven touchdowns (four rushing and three receiving). 

However, he hasn't seemed like the same player since tearing multiple ligaments in his knee in 2022. Over the past two seasons, he has averaged 3.6 yards per carry. Despite that, the Dallas Cowboys seem to believe he has some gas left in the tank. 

On Monday, NFL Media insider Tom Pelissero reported that Williams and the Cowboys agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal. 

Williams could benefit from a change of scenery. In 2023, the Denver Broncos hired head coach Sean Payton. Perhaps Williams' skill set didn't suit the coach's scheme, possibly contributing to his decline. 

It's still fair to doubt if Williams can fulfill the potential he showed earlier in his career. The 24-year-old seemingly lost his explosiveness over the past two seasons. During this timeframe, he has failed to generate any runs of 21 yards or more. 

Regardless, Williams should get plenty of opportunities to prove himself in 2025. Per David Moore of The Dallas Morning News, free-agent RB Rico Dowdle will likely sign elsewhere after the Cowboys added Williams. Dowdle probably wants to test his market after he rushed for 1,079 yards in 16 games with the Cowboys last season. 

Signing Williams shouldn't preclude the Cowboys from drafting an RB. In his latest mock draft, Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling has them taking Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson with pick No. 44 in the second round.