Broncos RB Javonte Williams went down with a right knee injury in the 3rd quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Raiders and was quickly ruled out. We'll update his status as soon as we know more. Williams' absence leaves Denver with RBs Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone.
Broncos RB Javonte Williams led the backfield in Week 3, rushing 15 times for 58 yards. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, Melvin Gordon mixed in for 12 attempts and a goal line score, plus 6 targets (vs. 5 for Williams). Williams added a drop. If there’s a positive here, it’s that he continues to pass the eye test as a tackle-dodger. Pro Football Focus charted him with 5 missed tackles forced against a stout San Francisco defense. He’ll enter a more favorable matchup this Sunday at Vegas.
Broncos RB Javonte Williams had a decent day in Sunday's win over the Texans, rushing for 75 yards on 15 carries (5.0 per attempt) and adding a catch for 10 yards among 4 targets. The better news for Williams -- amid a rough day for the Denver offense on whole -- was that his playing time stood further ahead of Melvin Gordon's in Week 2. Williams played 65% of snaps against Houston, compared with 32% for Gordon. They went 58-41 in the opener. Gordon also saw his route rate dip further from what was already a good-sized gap in Williams' favor. So the role has looked good for Williams drafters. Now we just need Denver's offense to stop being run moronically.
Broncos RB Javonte Williams totaled 108 yards in Monday’s road loss to Seattle. He played 38 snaps (vs. 27 for Melvin Gordon) but was out-carried by the veteran, 7-12. Williams delivered in fantasy on the strength of 11 catches for 65 yards. But his night should have been better, as he fumbled right at the goal line. Gordon actually fumbled in the same spot — so neither guy was benched for the miscue. At bottom, we’re likely headed for more games with heavy rotations going forward. Williams at least looks in peak tackle-breaking shape. Look for his efficient ways to continue Sunday vs. Houston.
Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett dropped the "hot hand" bomb on Friday when discussing his Javonte Williams/Melvin Gordon backfield. "I've always been a true believer in you want to roll with the hot hand," Hackett said. "One guy gets going, you want to be sure to keep feeding that person. But I think they're going to be great compliments to each other." It's the latest indication that Gordon will remain significantly involved in this backfield, at least out of the gate. We'll get our first look at the work split in Monday night's opener vs. the Seahawks.
Benjamin Allbright, a Broncos insider for KOA Radio in Denver, says those who draft RB Javonte Williams are "gonna be mad." He says it "looks like a 55/45" split between Williams and Melvin Gordon, "with some Mike Boone sprinkled in." Allbright adds that Gordon "is getting the situational work (GL, short yardage, etc)." The fact that we're getting varied reads on the situation from different reporters points to no one really knowing for sure what the Broncos' plan is. The sheer uncertainty adds risk to Williams at his Round 2 ADP and value to Gordon in Round 8.
ESPN's Dan Granziano believes Broncos RB Javonte Williams "takes control of the backfield" this season. "I think [RB Melvin] Gordon, who has had a strong camp by all accounts, still has a role, but that it's a far more secondary role than he had last year," Graziano adds. It seems certain at this point that Williams will lead this Denver backfield. What we don't know is if it will be something like a 55/45 split, or more like a 70/30 split. You're banking on something closer to the latter if you're taking Williams in the 2nd round of fantasy drafts.
When asked about RB Javonte Williams getting the first snaps at practice, RB Melvin Gordon said, "The want 'Vonte to be the guy," per insider Zac Stevens. That, of course, doesn't tell us anything specific about how snaps and touches will be divvied in this backfield. But it at least seems like confirmation that Williams will lead the way. We'll see if we get any clues on workload distribution in Denver's final 2 preseason games.
Cecil Lammey of 104.3 The Fan in Denver had this to say Wednesday after observing early Broncos practices: "I don't think this is a running back competition between [Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams]. I think Gordon is the clear backup, and I believe he's competing with Boone for the No. 2 job." Lammey pointed out that Gordon was working in behind Williams, Boone and Damarea Crockett in drills on the 1st day of camp. It's still early for Gordon, who didn't re-sign until April, returning to find a new coaching staff. It's also unlikely that Gordon would return without at least a shot to fight Williams for touches. This will be 1 of the most interesting situations in all of fantasy football this summer. If Williams does operate as a clear lead back, there's upside from his Round 2 ADP. If Gordon commands anything close to last year's work share, though, he'll prove to be a tremendous value. And if Boone surprises ... then there will be plenty of angry fantasy players. We'll keep tracking this backfield closely.
Denver’s new coaching staff views RBs Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon as “interchangeable, capable protectors and sure-handed receivers,” per The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider. “It’s kind of a similar situation to what we had in Green Bay with a speedier guy and a downhill guy,” new OC Justin Outten said. “You want to utilize those guys because it is a long season. You don’t want to bang them up. You want to be smart with them, use their strengths, put them out on the field, and make them work. We’re excited to have both those guys.” It’s further confirmation that the plan isn’t to fully unleash Williams in year 2. He still figures to be a highly efficient per-touch player, but hitting his ultimate ceiling likely hinges on whether Gordon misses time.
The Broncos named Nathaniel Hackett their new HC. The 42-year-old has 13 seasons of NFL coaching experience with 4 different teams. That includes 7 seasons as OC -- 2 with the Bills (2013-2014), 2 with the Jaguars (2017-2018) and the last 3 with the Packers. Hackett's Buffalo and Jacksonville offenses were mostly disappointing, but he was working with QBs E.J. Manuel, Kyle Orton and Blake Bortles. Hackett didn't call plays in Green Bay under HC Matt LaFleur but had a big say in the game plans. Most notably, QB Aaron Rodgers is reportedly a big fan of Hackett. So this move can only increase the chances that Rodgers ends up in Denver via trade.
The Broncos fired HC Vic Fangio. He won just 7, 5 and 7 games across 3 seasons with Denver. No word yet on OC Pat Shurmur, but we imagine he'll also be gone. We'll see who GM George Paton tabs as his new HC.
Update: The Broncos have also fired OC Pat Shurmur, according to insider Mike Klis.
Broncos RBs Javonte Williams (knee) and Melvin Gordon (thumb, hip) are active for today’s game vs. the Chargers. Both guys were limited in practice all week but should play their usual roles today.
Broncos RBs Javonte Williams (knee) and Melvin Gordon (thumb, hip) are expected to play vs. the Chargers today, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Both guys were limited in practice all week but should be ready for their usual roles today.
The Broncos list RBs Javonte Williams (knee) and Melvin Gordon (thumb, hip) as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Chargers. Both guys were limited in practice all week. They're not at 100% at this point of the season (who is?) but should be fine for Sunday.
Broncos RBs Melvin Gordon (thumb, hip) and Javonte Williams (knee) are active for today’s game vs. the Bengals. Gordon got in 3 limited practices this week; Williams was limited on Wednesday and Friday, sitting out on Thursday with some knee swelling. We never heard much concern for either guy, though, so we’re expecting the status quo in Denver’s backfield today.
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