Cowboys
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Javonte Williams came to the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent last summer after spending four seasons with the Denver Broncos.
First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer discussed what he was looking for in a running back in his scheme at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
“You want a guy that’s got vision, you want a guy that has contact balance,” Schottenheimer said.
“The fronts that we’re seeing, the fronts that we’re facing, require guys to be able to make hidden yards. Whether there’s a free safety in the hole or there’s a linebacker, a defensive lineman coming off at the point of attack, you’ve got to have a guy that’s willing to run through arm tackles.”
Williams has done everything asked and more. The second-round draft pick in 2021 has stepped into an offense loaded with receiving options like CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson, and cemented an all-around explosive offense.
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Williams showed potential in his rookie year. The North Carolina product appeared in 17 games and collected 903 yards on 203 carries. In the air, Williams caught 43 passes and ran 316 yards.
He is on pace to shatter his career-best running yards total established in his rookie season. As of Nov. 18, Williams has run for 809 yards on 161 attempts through 10 games played. He needs 95 yards to surpass his season high.
Through four seasons with Denver, Williams ran for 2,394 yards and 11 touchdowns in 54 games, averaging four yards per carry.
He remains the Cowboys’ standout no. 1 RB ahead of Jayden Blue. Blue was drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft in the fifth round, 149th overall, out of the University of Texas. Malik Davis is the third-string option currently playing in his second year. Davis was an undrafted free agent acquisition in April 2022. Davis played college ball at the University of Florida.
Execution and an ability to make plays on the ground or through the air were traits that Schottenheimer sought after in his No. 1 running back.
“I do believe that you have to have the ability to catch the ball coming out of the backfield,” Schottenheimer said.
“Why do I say that? If a team wants to commit to stopping the run, there are ways that they can try to do that…That doesn’t mean they have to play like a receiver, but they have to be able to run routes coming out of the backfield, and can separate and run after the catch is important.”
It seems like the Cowboys added a player who can do just that.
Mike is originally from Berkeley Heights, NJ. He attended The University of Scranton where he earned a BS in … More about Michael Mazzuca
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