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Javonte Williams 2023 Player Outlook: Uncertainty Over Week 1 Status Makes Him More Of A Risk
2 years agoDenver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (knee) was stuck in a frustrating committee in his rookie year in 2021 with Melvin Gordon III, but 2022 was supposed to be the 23-year-old's coming-out party as the team's unquestioned RB1. However, the former second-round pick made it through only four games before tearing his ACL and LCL in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The burning question for Williams' 2023 fantasy value is how long will it take for him to get back up to full speed? Gordon is no longer in Denver, but Samaje Perine is now the new complementary back and is expected to have a substantial role early in the year, even if Williams is playing. Williams showed glimpses of greatness in his rookie year and topped 900 rushing yards despite seeing 15-plus carries only twice. He doesn't have world-class speed, but he's powerful and slippery at contact and has averaged 4.4 yards per carry in 21 games. Williams has clear RB1 upside in fantasy once he's fully recovered, and the addition of head coach Sean Payton to run Denver's offense is a plus in 2023. The North Carolina product has made tremendous progress in his recovery from knee surgery and is set to see some preseason action. Despite the positive news on his recovery, the possibility that Williams be eased in will surely drop his stock to more of an RB2/3 on draft day.
