The NFL world takes a strong stance on Dallas Cowboys RB Javonte Williams, and it sheds light on a big change that must happen
NFL scouts, coaches, and executives took a strong stance on Dallas Cowboys RB Javonte Williams, and it’s hard to disagree on them. In fact, it points toward need for a big change on offense.
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams parlayed a strong 2025 season into a $24 million contract, but he has a long way to go before being considered one of the best NFL players at the position.
But I was somewhat surprised at him not even getting an honorable mention in ESPN’s running back annual rankings. The list put together by insider Jeremy Fowler by polling league coaches, scouts, and executives is always very revealing. It’s a true insiders’ ranking.
In this year’s edition, Williams not only missed the Top 10, but wasn’t among the three players receiving honorable mentions. For what it’s worth, Williams did receive at least one Top 10 vote.
Is the NFL world being fair to the Cowboys RB?
This is the question I set out to answer after reading the rankings. My initial impression was “no way Williams didn’t even get an honorable mention.” My reasoning was simple: Williams’ rushing numbers in 2025 were among the very best.
Per Sports Info Solutions, Williams was second in EPA/attempt, fifth in success rate, and he had the seventh-lowest stuff rate, which measures carries that go for zero or negative yards (among RBs with a minimum 50 carries).
To be fair, the poll is about the best running backs going into 2026, not about who had the best year last season. But still, it was rather surprising. I must confess, however, that further digging helped explain the ranking a little better.
Two things stand out in the case against Williams: lack of explosiveness and lack of pass catching production.
Williams ranked 43rd in explosive play rate per SIS. Though he was stellar in avoiding negative plays, he as mediocre in generating big ones. He was one of the most efficient running backs in the NFL but he was more of a singles hitter than a slugger.
As for his impact as a pass catcher, Williams didn’t do much. Out of 35 catches, only seven moved the chains as he totaled 137 receiving yards. Other than checkdowns, there’s not a whole lot the Cowboys asked from him as a receiver.
To put things into perspective: Out of 51 running backs with a minimum 20 targets, Williams was dead last in EPA/target and yards per route run. He was 48th in success rate.
The Cowboys must change RB approach
The above numbers sheds light on a big change that must happen: The Cowboys offense needs to shift towards a running back by committee approach.
Last season, Miles Sanders’ early season-ending injury forced the Cowboys to treat Williams as a three-down back. He finished the season with the seventh-highest snap count percentage among NFL running backs. He sat behind the likes of elite RBs like Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, and others.
For the Cowboys offense, doing that in 2026 will mean sacrificing pass-catching and big-play upside. Hopefully, someone such as second-year running back Jaydon Blue emerges as a change up. Blue was drafted last year because of his speed and explosiveness.
For now, Williams is doing a great job at RB1. But the Cowboys would benefit from lessening his burden.