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Williams handled a workhorse role in 2025 and delivered RB1-level volume. He finished RB12 in total PPR points and points per game, despite ranking RB8 in expected scoring. That gap, plus heavy red-zone usage, gives him clear upside if the efficiency improves. Draft him as a volume-driven RB2 in 2026.
Customize his projection for your exact league settings inside the Draft War Room.
Williams played 16 games and posted career highs with 1,201 rushing yards and 11 rushing TDs. He also caught 35 of 51 targets for 137 yards and 2 TDs.
Williams turned in a strong fantasy season across 16 games:
He delivered strong weekly consistency:
That’s the profile of a reliable weekly starter with occasional spike weeks.
Williams served as Dallas’ clear lead back, logging 252 carries, 10th-most in the NFL.
Through Week 17:
His role was even stronger earlier in the season:
Through Week 14:
He also handled high-value touches, ranking fourth in expected rushing TDs through Week 17.
Volume is doing the heavy lifting here, and Dallas gave him enough of it to matter every week.
Among 51 RBs with 90+ carries, he ranked:
His production also backed up the usage:
The picture is clear: Williams created yards and broke tackles at a high level, even if his overall efficiency mostly sat outside the top 10.
The Cowboys offense under HC Brian Schottenheimer proved to be a strong environment for fantasy production.
They ranked:
Brian Schottenheimer’s Dallas offenses have played quickly over the past two seasons after playing slow :
The offense did lean a bit more toward the run in 2025 with Williams.
But Williams’ receiving role proved a bit limited. Cowboys RBs drew just 13% of the team’s targets, 29th in the league.
The offensive line, however, was a plus for the run game. It ranked:
Williams signed a three-year, $24 million contract extension in February, clearly retaining the backfield lead.
The Cowboys did not add competition, with Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, and Phil Mafah returning to fill out the RB depth chart.
The Cowboys bring back their offensive core for 2026. Dak Prescott returns as the starting QB with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens as the top two WRs. Jake Ferguson also returns as the starting TE.
The offense should remain similar for 2026, with HC Brian Schottenheimer heading into his second season at the helm following two seasons as Dallas OC.
Schottenheimer’s offense has been fantasy-friendly.
2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
Pace | 65.9 (Third) | 64.9 (First | 66 (Third) |
Pass Rate | 58.5% | 61.1% | 56.7% |
Dallas wasn’t purely pass-happy in 2025, but Schottenheimer’s offenses keep a pace atop the league.
The pace should keep Williams’ touch count healthy, even in an offense that leans pass-heavy overall and in the red zone.
Last year, the Cowboys ranked:
The lean on the pass didn’t appear to hurt Williams who still ranked RB8 in expected PPR points per game. With no real competition for touches from the rest of the RB room, Williams should command the snaps and touches in a fast paced offense.
Williams hits his ceiling if his expected TDs convert at a higher rate. He ranked fourth in expected rush TDs in 2025, but eighth in actual TDs.
Williams’ new contract might indicate the Cowboys want Williams’ role to grow. His $8 million a year salary marks a steep increase from the $2.9 million for 2025.
Perhaps that’s just Dallas meeting the market price after getting Williams on the cheap last year. He still ties for just 17th at the position in annual salary average. But there’s potential for more touches if no other Cowboys RB proves ready to take on a significant role.
Williams finished las year:
Convert more of those TDs, and he could crack the position’s top 8.
Williams’ workload could also benefit from the Cowboys winning more games after they went 7-9-1 last year. Playing from ahead generally means a team runs the ball more..
Williams’ downside comes from his limited receiving outlook. There’s no reason to believe the Cowboys will throw him a bunch more passes after they tied for just 23rd in RB receptions last year while attempting the third-most throws overall..
Combine that with Williams’ average efficiency metrics, and we might see other Dallas RBs siphon further receiving work. That would hurt both his fantasy floor and ceiling.
That said, Williams looks like a pretty safe bet if he stays around his RB18 ADP from early 2026 drafting.
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Tyler Goodson Joins Cowboys Backfield
Tyler Goodson Joins Cowboys Backfield
The Cowboys signed RB Tyler Goodson from Atlanta's practice squad and released RB Israel Abanikanda. Abanikanda was a healthy scratch for the opener, leaving RB Emari Demercardo behind workhorse Javonte Williams. We'll see if Goodson gets any run going forward, but Demercardo still looks like the top (albeit relatively shaky) handcuff to Williams.
Javonte Williams scores twice as his Cowboys lead-back role continues
Javonte Williams scores twice as his Cowboys lead-back role continues
Javonte Williams led all Cowboys with 24.4 PPR points after scoring both a rushing and receiving TD in Sunday night’s loss to the Giants. Williams handled 12 carries for 41 yards while adding 5 receptions on as many targets for 31 yards as a receiver out of the backfield.
Malik Davis To IR, Israel Abanikanda Elevated
Malik Davis To IR, Israel Abanikanda Elevated
The Cowboys placed RB Malik Davis (hip) on IR and elevated RB Israel Abanikanda from the practice squad. It's still unclear if Davis has a chance to return this season, but he can be dropped from all redraft rosters. Abanikanda joins RBs Javonte Williams and Emari Demercado on the active roster. FB Hunter Luepke could also handle some carries and targets out of the backfield. There's no clear-cut handcuff to Williams at this point. We'll get our first look as Dallas' backfield when they play the Giants on Sunday night.
Malik Davis Hurts Hip In Practice
Malik Davis Hurts Hip In Practice
Cowboys RB Malik Davis had to be carted off the practice field on Friday with a hip injury, according to The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris. We'll look for more details on his status, but Davis figures to at least miss Sunday night's game vs. the Giants, and potentially much longer. He was slated to serve as the Cowboys' No. 2 RB and handcuff to Javonte Williams. Davis' absence leaves RB Emari Demercado behind Williams. RB Israel Abanikanda is on the practice squad.
Javonte Williams Set For Bellcow Usage
Javonte Williams Set For Bellcow Usage
Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer called RB Javonte Williams a "bellcow" on Monday. "The other guys are certainly gonna play, but Javonte’s one of those guys that, the stronger he gets is based off how many carries he gets," Schottenheimer added.
See whether Javonte Williams is available in your leagues.
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