Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams is having a contract year to forget, as the former second-round pick may have lost his starting job to fifth-round rookie Audric Estime. Selected with the 35th-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the North Carolina product began his career in a timeshare with veteran Melvin Gordon. He showed promise as a rookie, recording 903 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 203 carries while adding 43 receptions for 316 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
Williams had the full-time starting role in 2022 but suffered a season-ending injury after just four games. The running back hasn’t been the same since, struggling in 2023 and recording just 388 yards and two touchdowns on 103 carries (3.8 yards per carry) in 2024. After seeing most of the work early in the season, Javonte Williams recorded just one carry in Week 10’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, while Audric Estime recorded 14 carries for 53 yards.
Estime may or may not be the future of the Broncos backfield, but it’s safe to assume that Williams is not a part of the long-term plans. Williams’ time in Denver predates head coach Sean Payton, and the one-time Super Bowl champion could let him walk in free agency. If that happens, don’t be surprised to see him land with a team like the Los Angeles Chargers or the Baltimore Ravens.
Chargers, Ravens Could Target Javonte Williams After Audric Estime Benching
The Los Angeles Chargers are thriving in the first year of the Jim Harbaugh Era. Sitting pretty at 6-3, the Chargers are comfortably in the Wild Card spot thanks to a great defense, reliable running game, and quarterback Justin Herbert playing the best football of his career. The team already has more wins than they did in 2023, which is a testament to the coaching and front office. However, Harbaugh didn’t completely reinvent this team in his image, and he’ll look for more talent in the coming offseason.
Harbaugh believes in the power of the running game, and he will almost certainly add more talent to the room in the coming months. J.K. Dobbins will be a free agent at the end of the season, and Gus Edwards has not played up to his contract. While the team could easily draft someone like superstar Ashton Jeanty, they’ll still need reliable depth. If Javonte Williams can’t beat out Audric Estime, then he might not earn a starting job in free agency, but he should still see plenty of touches as a high-end backup in a run-heavy offense.
Supporting A Legend
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry refuses to age, as the 30-year-old leads the NFL in carries (184), rushing yards (1,120), and touchdowns (12). Originally signed to a two-year contract, Henry will be back in 2025 but he’ll need a reliable backup. Undrafted free agent Keaton Mitchell returned in Baltimore’s 35-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but he didn’t record a single carry. If he can recapture his pre-injury form, then he can be an adequate backup to Henry in 2025. If he can’t, then Javonte Williams could be the ideal signing.
Despite all evidence to the contrary, Derrick Henry is a mortal human being who will eventually start to slow down. This team needs a competent backup plan in case injury strikes, and Williams is good enough to get the job done. While he’s no superstar, he can follow a block and should benefit from playing alongside the elusive Lamar Jackson.
Main Photo: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports
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