Javonte Williams Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Benjamin Allbright, a Broncos insider for KOA Radio in Denver, says those who draft RB Javonte Williams are "gonna be mad." He says it "looks like a 55/45" split between Williams and Melvin Gordon, "with some Mike Boone sprinkled in." Allbright adds that Gordon "is getting the situational work (GL, short yardage, etc)." The fact that we're getting varied reads on the situation from different reporters points to no one really knowing for sure what the Broncos' plan is. The sheer uncertainty adds risk to Williams at his Round 2 ADP and value to Gordon in Round 8.

ESPN's Dan Granziano believes Broncos RB Javonte Williams "takes control of the backfield" this season. "I think [RB Melvin] Gordon, who has had a strong camp by all accounts, still has a role, but that it's a far more secondary role than he had last year," Graziano adds. It seems certain at this point that Williams will lead this Denver backfield. What we don't know is if it will be something like a 55/45 split, or more like a 70/30 split. You're banking on something closer to the latter if you're taking Williams in the 2nd round of fantasy drafts.

When asked about RB Javonte Williams getting the first snaps at practice, RB Melvin Gordon said, "The want 'Vonte to be the guy," per insider Zac Stevens. That, of course, doesn't tell us anything specific about how snaps and touches will be divvied in this backfield. But it at least seems like confirmation that Williams will lead the way. We'll see if we get any clues on workload distribution in Denver's final 2 preseason games.

Cecil Lammey of 104.3 The Fan in Denver had this to say Wednesday after observing early Broncos practices: "I don't think this is a running back competition between [Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams]. I think Gordon is the clear backup, and I believe he's competing with Boone for the No. 2 job." Lammey pointed out that Gordon was working in behind Williams, Boone and Damarea Crockett in drills on the 1st day of camp. It's still early for Gordon, who didn't re-sign until April, returning to find a new coaching staff. It's also unlikely that Gordon would return without at least a shot to fight Williams for touches. This will be 1 of the most interesting situations in all of fantasy football this summer. If Williams does operate as a clear lead back, there's upside from his Round 2 ADP. If Gordon commands anything close to last year's work share, though, he'll prove to be a tremendous value. And if Boone surprises ... then there will be plenty of angry fantasy players. We'll keep tracking this backfield closely.

Denver’s new coaching staff views RBs Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon as “interchangeable, capable protectors and sure-handed receivers,” per The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider. “It’s kind of a similar situation to what we had in Green Bay with a speedier guy and a downhill guy,” new OC Justin Outten said. “You want to utilize those guys because it is a long season. You don’t want to bang them up. You want to be smart with them, use their strengths, put them out on the field, and make them work. We’re excited to have both those guys.” It’s further confirmation that the plan isn’t to fully unleash Williams in year 2. He still figures to be a highly efficient per-touch player, but hitting his ultimate ceiling likely hinges on whether Gordon misses time.

The Broncos named Nathaniel Hackett their new HC. The 42-year-old has 13 seasons of NFL coaching experience with 4 different teams. That includes 7 seasons as OC -- 2 with the Bills (2013-2014), 2 with the Jaguars (2017-2018) and the last 3 with the Packers. Hackett's Buffalo and Jacksonville offenses were mostly disappointing, but he was working with QBs E.J. Manuel, Kyle Orton and Blake Bortles. Hackett didn't call plays in Green Bay under HC Matt LaFleur but had a big say in the game plans. Most notably, QB Aaron Rodgers is reportedly a big fan of Hackett. So this move can only increase the chances that Rodgers ends up in Denver via trade.

The Broncos fired HC Vic Fangio. He won just 7, 5 and 7 games across 3 seasons with Denver. No word yet on OC Pat Shurmur, but we imagine he'll also be gone. We'll see who GM George Paton tabs as his new HC.

Update: The Broncos have also fired OC Pat Shurmur, according to insider Mike Klis.

Broncos RBs Javonte Williams (knee) and Melvin Gordon (thumb, hip) are active for today’s game vs. the Chargers. Both guys were limited in practice all week but should play their usual roles today.

Broncos RBs Javonte Williams (knee) and Melvin Gordon (thumb, hip) are expected to play vs. the Chargers today, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Both guys were limited in practice all week but should be ready for their usual roles today.

The Broncos list RBs Javonte Williams (knee) and Melvin Gordon (thumb, hip) as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Chargers. Both guys were limited in practice all week. They're not at 100% at this point of the season (who is?) but should be fine for Sunday.

Broncos RBs Melvin Gordon (thumb, hip) and Javonte Williams (knee) are active for today’s game vs. the Bengals. Gordon got in 3 limited practices this week; Williams was limited on Wednesday and Friday, sitting out on Thursday with some knee swelling. We never heard much concern for either guy, though, so we’re expecting the status quo in Denver’s backfield today.

Broncos RBs Melvin Gordon (thumb, hip) and Javonte Williams (knee) are expected to play vs. the Bengals today, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Unless we hear otherwise, we're expecting the near 50/50 split in Denver's backfield to continue.

Broncos RBs Melvin Gordon (thumb, hip) and Javonte Williams (knee) are listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Bengals. Gordon got in 3 limited practices this week; Williams was limited on Wednesday and Friday, sitting out on Thursday with some knee swelling. HC Vic Fangio said Friday that Williams is “fine.” We’re expecting the near-even 50/50 split in Denver’s backfield to continue this weekend.

Broncos RB Javonte Williams did not practice on Thursday after his knee "kind of swelled up," per HC Vic Fangio. That doesn't sound good -- but Fangio said that he still expects Williams to play vs. the Bengals on Sunday. We'll get another update on his status tomorrow.

Broncos RB Melvin Gordon sprained a thumb in Sunday's win over the Lions, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Gordon was able to play through the issue yesterday and it "doesn’t figure to limit his playing time going forward," per Rapoport. We'll keep an eye on Gordon this week, but it sounds like we should expect Denver's committee backfield to continue in Sunday's game vs. the Bengals.

Broncos RB Melvin Gordon (hip) is active for today’s game vs. the Lions. He was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable, so it seems like he’s still not at 100%. We’ll see what kind of role he plays after RB Javonte Williams’ massive Week 13. The plus matchup at least keeps Gordon in play as a RB3 or flex.