JavonteWilliams

News: 13 hours agoWilliams rushed 12 times for 45 yards and a touchdown and brought in two of three targets for 17 yards in the Cowboys' 24-16 loss to the Buccaneers on Thursday night.

Spin: Williams' rushing opportunities were somewhat capped by a surprising second-half game script that included a 17-0 third-quarter advantage for Tampa Bay. However, the veteran running back had gotten Dallas started off on the right foot in the first quarter, when he capped off a nine-play opening drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Williams did a respectable job throughout the night grinding out yards against a tough Buccaneers run defense, but he's now averaged less than 3.8 yards per carry in four of the first five games, including two straight. Nevertheless, Williams does have six rushing touchdowns in the same span, and he should have a good chance at a heftier workload on the ground in a Week 6 road matchup against the Packers on Sunday, Oct. 18.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Williams re-signed with the Cowboys following a successful first year with the team. After failing to produce a top-25 fantasy campaign during his final three seasons in Denver, Williams finished 12th in 2025, setting career-best marks in carries, rushing yards, touches (287), scrimmage yards (1,338) and yards per carry (4.77). He also scored a career-high 13 touchdowns after totaling 16 during his first four campaigns, and his 16 carries inside the 5-yard line were fifth most among backs. That helped offset his receiving struggles, as his 2.7 yards per target was last among qualified RBs. With minimal competition for touches in a high-scoring Dallas offense, the 26-year-old is a solid RB2 target.