Javonte Williams

Javonte Williams enters 2026 in a strong spot after rebuilding his value in Dallas, where he re-signed on a three-year, $24 million deal with $16 million guaranteed after his breakout 2025 season. He is still the Cowboys’ clear lead back heading into the year, and the team did not add meaningful competition to the backfield, which keeps his workload outlook very attractive.

The main fantasy appeal with Williams is the combination of volume and scoring upside. After finishing 2025 with 1,201 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns in a 16-game season, he showed he can still function as a reliable every-week starter when healthy and featured. Recent 2026 outlooks have him sitting in the RB15-RB20 range, with consensus rankings generally placing him in the third- to fourth-round fantasy draft conversation.

There is still some injury context to respect, though it is not a major red flag for 2026. Williams ended 2025 on injured reserve after dealing with shoulder and neck issues, but the offseason reports have him entering training camp as Dallas’ lead back and positioned for a full workload. That makes him a very solid draft target, especially for managers who want a safer RB2 with real RB1 upside if the touchdowns stay strong.

The bottom line is that Williams looks like one of the better value backs in 2026 fantasy drafts. He should offer steady weekly usage, strong touchdown potential, and enough receiving work to avoid being just a plodder, while his ceiling remains tied to how much Dallas leans on him near the goal line. If you can get him at a price in the RB2 range, he feels like a confident pick with upside rather than a risky bet.