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The Dallas Cowboys featured some of the selective offense on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period by signing a free agent replacement that will drive Rico Dowdle back, who ran through more than 1,000 yards of franchise history in 2024, in a row.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has signed the Denver Broncos for each NFL media to revert Javonte Williams to a one-year, $3 million contract. Williams, who turned 25 on April 25th, can earn up to $3.5 million on incentives as a cowboy. His single-game career high in rushing yards (17 carry 111) became a rookie year (2021) with Dallas at his new home turf, AT&T Stadium, in week 9.
The 2021 second round pick from North Carolina flashed early, but the brutal knee injury that tore his ACL and LCL in 2022 prevented him from developing into a game-changing run. Williams’ 4.4 yards per inning over the past four seasons is the third in the NFL (with a minimum of 750 touches), surpassing only Ezekiel Elliott’s 4.1 and Nagie Harris 4.3. He was the Broncos’ main rushing in 2024, with 513 yards, 139 carries (3.7 yards per carry) and four touchdowns, but his production was not surprising.
Perhaps Dallas hopes that much of his electric running ability will return, starting now during his 2022 knee injury. At least now, the Cowboys don’t have to reach for running back on their 12th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, with Williams on board. He should receive many carry in 2025. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer, like former boss and mentor Pete Carroll, is looking to prioritize the run game.
Free Agency Eve NFL winners and losers: Myles Garrett, DK Metcalf Cash in; Cowboys, Bengals were surprised
Garrett Podel
