Javonte Williams fantasy football insight from Hayden Winks - PPR Rankings

Williams looked a little healthier on tape last season, even if he's maxed out athletically compared to others in the top-3 rounds of fantasy drafts. What he's good at (vision, power, protection) is what coaches love, and the Cowboys have some great coaches on offense. Javonte looks like a saint next to Jaydon Blue and Malik Davis, so his playing time feels quite safe after signing a 3-year, $24M contract with $16M guaranteed. As the clear starter last year, Williams was the RB13 on RB6 usage using half PPR scoring. That meant an 18th overall finish in total fantasy points over replacement. His efficiency was fine in the lens of EPA per carry (RB3 among backs with 10+ carries per game) and goal-line success rate (RB1 overall). He was just horrific as a receiver, averaging 2.7 yards per target with a 33% success rate. All of that should even out as an upside RB2 with a volume-based floor. The Cowboys were 2nd in neutral pace last year, and they're projected for the 6th-most points in 2026 according to the betting markets. Williams just has to be serviceable as an individual talent to pay off his 36th overall ADP. Williams' 1124 rushing yards, 9.5 rushing TDs, and 224 receiving yards projections from the live markets are similar to fringe 1st-round picks Saquon Barkley (1099-8.5-274), James Cook (1199-10.5), Ashton Jeanty (1030-7.5-349), and De'Von Achane (999-5.5-424). That's name brand arbitrage.