The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 roster is starting to take shape, and could change further with a trade for a weapon from the Denver Broncos. The Cowboys re-signed Rico Doodle, but they still don’t have a true No. 1 running back for the 2024 season. That’s why Brian Martin, author of Blogging the Boys, thinks the team should consider Broncos running back Javonte Williams. Williams is a bright spot on Denver’s roster, but he is entering a contract year as the team prepares to rebuild. “Last season, he started 13 games and rushed for 774 yards (3.6 on the year) and two touchdowns,” Martin wrote on March 18. “With the Broncos rebuilding, Williams could be acquired in a trade considering he is in a contract year. Jahlil McLaughlin could be in the starting lineup, so the Cowboys I should call my buddy Sean Payton about Williams’ availability.”
If Denver is looking to start with a clean slate, trading Williams would make sense. As mentioned above, McLaughlin’s impressive performance only furthered Williams’ eventual departure. If that happens, Dallas could do much worse than the former North Carolina Tar Heels.
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Javonte Williams’ first three years with the Broncos
Although Williams looked good at times, his first three seasons were mixed. This is partially due to injuries and partially due to sharing time with other RBs. The good news about this breakup is that despite three years of experience, Williams is still only 23 years old and his work rate is reasonable. As a rookie in 2021, Williams was fully committed to his role in Denver. According to Pro Football Reference, Williams totaled 903 rushing yards and four touchdowns as the team’s backup running back. He also recorded 316 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
But in 2022, Williams suffered a torn ACL and torn LCL after just four games. His second season is over, but at least it happened early enough that it didn’t significantly impact his ability to play for the Broncos in 2023. Williams returns with a solid, if not great, year. Williams appeared in 16 games and had 774 total yards and 228 receiving yards. He scored five total touchdowns and eclipsed 1,000 yards for the second time.
Williams would be a cheap player for the Cowboys.
Another reason why Williams makes sense is that the Cowboys don’t have to pay him a lot of money in 2024. The 23-year-old still has time left on his rookie contract and will make $1.87 million this year, according to Spotrac. Without a second contract, Williams will become a free agent in 2025, but that’s a bridge that Dallas or any interested team can cross later. If anything, this will be a testing year for Williams, which should encourage him to get the biggest contract he can get.
Dallas hasn’t been afraid to pay big bucks for running backs in recent years. Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard still earns $10 million playing as a franchise player. But in 2024, Dallas could take Dowdle, a No. 1 running back like Williams and likely a new face in the draft. If they can save money there, they should be able to do whatever they need to do in the short term to make the playoffs.
