Javonte Williams Could Win Broncos Starting RB Job

The Denver Broncos backfield was all Melvin Gordon’s until it wasn’t.

After Denver let Phillip Lindsay walk in free agency, Gordon, who signed a two-year deal last offseason, seemed primed for a major role in his contract year. However, the Broncos drafted running back Javonte Williams in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, which has already started the clock on Gordon’s time in Denver.

Williams has +2000 odds to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award on WynnBET, and the only running back with better odds is Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Najee Harris (+1600). Even Gordon admitted Williams was brought in to push him.

"Obviously they bring in competition every year and every position," Gordon said. "You can look at things in two different fashions. With the Javonte situation -- you bring in a back in the second round, my contract is about to be up -- so you could look at it as, they brought him here to replace me. Or you can just look at it as, it's just another way for me to get better. Another guy to push me to greater heights and see what I can do, see what I can bring and bring it out of me. ... NFL teams, GMs, head coaches -- their jobs are to continue to bring in talent to keep competition at an all-time high. You can be down about that, or you can show people, this is why I'm the guy. I've been competing my whole career."

As Gordon pointed out, the Broncos essentially have already chosen his replacement, but the veteran still could beat Williams out this season. Gordon has been a solid three-down back in his career, and he has the advantage of already knowing Denver’s offense. 

"I don't want people to feel like, 'He's lost a step. He's this or that,'" Gordon said. "I almost went for 1,000 yards last year while sharing the ball. … It's important to not only show people, but also show myself, that I'm still this high-caliber back."

Still, using a second-round pick on a running back usually signals you have some intent of him being a key part of your offense. Lindsay had ran for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons, but the Broncos were content to let him go and made sure they got Williams as a replacement by trading up. 

Williams ran for 1,140 yards and 19 touchdowns last season at the University of North Carolina and could certainly make a run for the starting job after the Broncos traded up to select him at pick No. 35. 

The past six seasons, three running backs and three quarterbacks have won the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. While No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence is the favorite (+275), Williams could be a dark horse candidate if he beats out Gordon as Denver’s lead back.