Latest news with #JavonteWilliams
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Football: Jordan Mason or Aaron Jones Sr. — we need clarity on these backfields ASAP
What's up Yahoo Fantasy family! First off, let me just say how grateful I am that you're here reading this. Whether you've been playing for years or just now diving into draft season, thank you. Getting the chance to contribute content on this platform is a full-circle moment for me. My very first fantasy football league was on Yahoo, so to be here now, creating content for one of the most passionate fantasy communities in the world, truly means everything. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] If you've followed my work, you know what I'm about: giving you content that's both actionable and entertaining. I don't separate real football from fantasy football. The best fantasy insight starts with what's actually happening on the field, and that's the lens I'll bring to every article you see from me here on Yahoo. You're going to walk away knowing more, laughing a little, and (most importantly) winning more. First up, let's examine some currently ambiguous backfields across the NFL and see what we can see for fantasy. Dallas Cowboys: Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Jaydon Blue Living in Dallas, it's only right I kick this off with the Cowboys — and their backfield is one of the most ambiguous in the NFL. There's never an offseason without drama in Dallas. Since Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard's departures in 2023 and 2024, respectively, fantasy managers have been chasing clarity in a backfield that once anchored championship rosters. Unfortunately, it's been anything but clear, and 2025 doesn't look much different. The Cowboys brought in veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, then used mid-round draft capital on the electric Jaydon Blue out of Texas — who, by the way, clocked over 22 MPH on the ground in college. That kind of burst doesn't exist anywhere else in this RB room, and it won't be long before fans, coaches and fantasy gamers recognize it. Let's first talk about Javonte Williams. He has experience with 606 career carries and 158 receptions — but the big-play juice just isn't there. According to TruMedia, among RBs with at least 130 carries last year, he tied for dead last in 20+ yard runs (1) and ranked fourth-worst in 10+ yard runs (13). He was fifth among RBs in targets, but those opportunities didn't lead to much: he ranked 32nd in first downs per target and had the fourth-worst receiving success rate among RBs with 20+ receptions. Sanders might get early-down work, but the arrow isn't pointing up there either after he stunk it up in 11 games, doing virtually nothing for the Panthers. Blue gives this offense a gear it doesn't currently have. With Dak Prescott leading a pass-heavy attack featuring CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson and the newly acquired George Pickens, there's space to exploit — and Blue has the skillset to capitalize. Last season, he was just as electric in the receiving game for the University of Texas; he hauled in 42 passes for 368 yards and six touchdowns. He's already getting first-team reps in camp and has the profile of a player who can force the issue quickly. I always say there's a difference between a running back who can catch the ball and one who can be deployed as a pass-catching weapon. Blue is the latter. If you're looking for the safest bet to get touches early, it might be Williams. But the best bet to matter in fantasy by midseason? That's Blue. Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason The Vikings enter 2025 with the spotlight on second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy and a retooled passing game, but the real value might come from how you navigate the backfield split between Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason. This offense was elite last season and just got better. The Vikings retooled their offensive line with Ryan Kelly, Will Fries and first-round pick Donovan Jackson — one of my favorite linemen from the draft. Pair them with Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill, and you're looking at a top-five unit in the league. Jones is coming off a top-10 finish in both rushing attempts and yards, but he's 30 years old, missed six games last year and has some wear showing. Inside the five-yard line in 2024? Thirteen carries for -2 yards. That's not going to cut it. Meanwhile, Mason did nothing but produce when given the chance. He averaged 106 rushing yards per game as a starter — second only to Saquon Barkley. He was 14th in first downs per carry (24.2%) compared to Jones' 19.2%. The advanced metrics back it all up. Mason forced a league-best 37.3% missed tackles, according to Next Gen Stats, and racked up 207 rush yards over expected — seventh-most among qualified backs. TruMedia clocked his adjusted yards after contact per attempt at 4.10, trailing only Barkley, Henry, Bucky Irving and Jahmyr Gibbs. Jones will still get touches, but if you're chasing upside and a potential weekly difference-maker, Mason is the bet to make. This is a backfield where both could have value, but Mason is the one who could smash his ADP. Houston Texans: Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, Woody Marks Now, let's head to Houston, where the running back room is a puzzle and right now, no piece seems to fit. Joe Mixon is sidelined with no timeline to return. Nick Chubb is trying to work back from multiple injuries and has played in just 10 games over the last two seasons. And while Head Coach DeMeco Ryans is praising Chubb's leadership and preparation, even he admitted that 'it's not always gonna be the same as his early years.' Camp reports haven't helped. The burst just isn't there, and some are already wondering aloud if starting Chubb is a long-term liability. The Texans desperately need someone to step up and take pressure off C.J. Stroud, who's now trying to lead a reworked offense without Laremy Tunsil or Kenyon Green on the offensive line, and with two rookie wideouts expected to play big roles. Enter fourth-round rookie RB Woody Marks. The Texans traded up to draft Marks, and he brings a very specific skill set to the table: he catches passes and creates explosive plays. With over 250 receptions in college, Marks was one of the best pass-catching backs in the entire draft class. He's coming off a breakout year that included 1,000+ rushing yards and has been getting rave reviews in camp for his ability to win in space. Houston didn't draft Marks to replace Mixon — it drafted him as a complement. The problem? Right now, he might be the only healthy and explosive back it has. He's not a between-the-tackles banger, but he doesn't need to be. In an offense that's likely going to struggle up front and lean on short-area efficiency, Marks is built for that role. If Mixon gets healthy, this backfield could settle into a true committee. But, if Mixon stays sidelined and Chubb can't regain form, Marks could find himself in a valuable role early. He's free in Yahoo drafts right now, but that won't last long. Scoop him while you still can. The Final Word Fantasy football is about more than just depth charts — it's about identifying value before your leaguemates do. Blue. Mason. Marks. All three are in ambiguous backfields with wide-open opportunity, and each has a clear path to fantasy relevance — even dominance — this season. The key is timing. These aren't players you'll need to reach for in drafts right now. But they're absolutely players you want exposure to before injuries or preseason hype make them pricier. In a game that rewards early conviction and upside chasing, those are three names I'm targeting everywhere.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
KaVontae Turpin turns heads at practice as RB; could be wild card in Cowboys backfield
One of the burning questions of this Cowboys training camp is the team's rushing attack. The first day of practice in Oxnard was, of course, never going to provide a clear-cut answer on how the workload will ultimately be split; Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders both got reps with the starters, and both Deuce Vaughn and rookie Jaydon Blue reportedly had nice showings behind Joe Milton. But the Cowboys may be adding another legitimate option in this multiple-choice exercise. Wide receiver and All-Pro return specialist KaVontae Turpin took several handoffs out of the Cowboys backfield on Tuesday and turned heads with one designed run in particular that likely would have gone the distance, even if the defense had been going full speed. Turpin has seen his offensive touches increase in each of his three seasons as the Cowboys look to take advantage of his otherworldly speed. But the fifth-most-targeted receiver on last year's squad was also its third-place rushing leader behind Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott. Small sample size? Yes, Turpin logged just 16 rushing attempts in 2024, for 92 yards. But six of those carries- or a robust 37 percent- resulted in a first down. And his 5.8-yard average led the Cowboys overall. When he touches the ball, good things frequently happen. In fact, looking at every NFL player who recorded 16 or more rushing attempts in 2024, only 20 men had an average that was better than Turpin's. Of those, 12 were quarterbacks. Six were full-time running backs. What that means is, among the players who don't touch the ball on every snap or aren't primarily paid to carry it into traffic, only Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed and Saints gadget guy Taysom Hill had a higher yards-per-carry average than Turpin. It's been just one summer day of no-pads practice, but it seems head coach Brian Schottenheimer may have already done the math and calculated the extraordinary upside in giving Turpin more than 0.9 carries per game. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans! This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin turns heads with RB reps on first day of camp
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sleeper Alert: Cowboys 7th-round pick is the one RB no one is talking about
In a position group without a clear standout, anyone can be the sleeper. The Dallas Cowboys have taken a true committee approach to the running back position in 2025. Not unlike the way they handled the previous season, Dallas has chosen to invest very few resources to fill the RB room this season. The Cowboys added two replacement level veterans in Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders and drafted two Day 3 rookies in Jayden Blue and Phil Mafah. Teamed with carryovers Deuce Vaughn and Hunter Luepke, the Cowboys hope to find a winning combination that can carry them through the year. Despite some known work ethic concerns from the rookie Blue, he's expected to carry the load as the primary complementary back. The explosive Texas RB has game breaking ability that's unrivaled in the backfield. In front of him most have either Williams penciled in or his veteran counterpart Sanders. With Luepke a virtual lock to snag the fullback specialty role, it leaves very little room for a sleeper to pop up and make a difference. But if one sleeper can make a difference, it's the seventh rounder Mafah. Mafah, 6-foot-1, 234-pounds, is a man amongst boys at the RB position. The Clemson bruiser is a one-cut runner with patience to wait for openings and the strength and physicality to create his own openings. He's not flashy, lacking the big play speed or open field elusiveness, but he's workhorse between the tackles and a willing blocker in pass protection. Mafah's film is a tale of two halves. Before his injury he looked like a legit NFL prospect but after his injury his production fell off a cliff and his playing style ineffective. It was a combination of this and a loaded draft class that caused Mafah's stock to drop until the last round. If he can prove his shoulder injury is behind him and he's the runner that wowed scouts the first half of the 2024 season, the Cowboys could have a steal on their hands. Blue brings the high ceiling, Williams brings the high floor, and Sanders brings the insurance policy, but Mafah brings the mystery as a wildcard. If this seventh-round rookie can hold up in pass protection, contribute on special teams and be a force in short yardage he could go from roster bubble/camp casualty to steady role player in no time. You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans! This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys Phil Mafah is being overlooked in RB competition
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Buy These Running Backs In Dynasty Fantasy Football
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 02: Javonte Williams #33 of the Denver Broncos runs out of the tunnel prior to ... More an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High on December 2, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by) The NFL season is just around the corner, which means it's close to your last chance to buy some of these running backs. With prices set to change dramatically, you're going to want to buy these three players right away in dynasty fantasy football. For this list, we'll be looking at a few players that are affordable and can fit any kind of dynasty team. By trading for these running backs, it doesn't mean you need to keep them on your roster forever. However, these are players who should rise in value, and then you can sell them off as needed. We'll be using Keep Trade Cut for these community rankings. Let's dive right into the list. Buy These Running Backs In Dynasty Fantasy Football While there certainly would have been better landing spots for J.K. Dobbins, people are totally writing him off. Last season in October (25th), Dobbins became the RB22 in dynasty. It's not as if Dobbins had a bad 2024 season either. Last year, Dobbins played in 13 games, ran for 905 yards (4.6 YPC), recorded nine touchdowns on the ground, and caught 32 passes. Now, Dobbins ended up with the Denver Broncos in free agency, and the team had already drafted RJ Harvey in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. While Harvey should be the guy, it's not uncommon for rookies to take some time to adapt to the NFL. If Dobbins is given the starting job, there's a real chance that he may never give it up in year one. Everyone is counting out Dobbins, but he's a great talent who's coming off a really good year in 2024. I'd take Dobbins over players such as Jaylen Warren, who's being ranked 138th overall (Dobbins - 158) and the RB40 (Dobbins - RB46). While Javonte Williams has been a player that I haven't been a fan of for years, it's all about price. At RB47, the hate on Williams has gone too far. A few months ago, Jaydon Blue was my favorite back in the Dallas Cowboys offense. Having a running back in this offense is extremely advantageous. Last year, we saw Rico Dowdle, who had never run for more than 400 yards before 2024, run for 1,079 yards on the Cowboys offense. While Blue flashed with metrics such as a 113.1 elusive rating (per PFF), he's never run for over 800 yards in a season. Williams, on the other hand, was the 35th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and was deemed a great prospect. As a rookie, Williams had 903 rushing yards on 4.4 YPC despite only starting one game. Sadly, Williams suffered a knee injury in 2022, which he's been recovering from ever since. A change of scenery and one more year removed could allow Williams to thrive in his age-25 season. As of now, Williams is the projected starter on the Cowboys depth chart because his only competition is Miles Sanders and Blue. Again, I'd easily take Williams over Warren, yet he's ranked significantly behind him. GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 15: Trey Benson #33 of the Arizona Cardinals prepares for a game ... More against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by) The last player on this list is sophomore running back Trey Benson. Coming out of the 2024 NFL Draft class, Benson had high hopes as he was drafted early in the third round (66th overall). While some expected James Conner to fade out, he played in the most games of his career (16) and ran for 1,094 yards (4.6 YPC) and eight touchdowns. With that being the case, Benson barely saw the field running for 4.6 YPC on 63 attempts. Now Conner is entering his age-30 season, and typically running backs start to decline around this age. When Conner eventually loses his job to Benson, the young back will see an instant value spike. If you believe in the talent of Benson, you can hang onto him and let him start on your roster with his increased dynasty value. If not, you can sell him at a value win once he takes over that starting job. Either way, since you're getting Benson at the RB28, he's a great buy in dynasty fantasy football right now.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys could trade a 4,345-yard rusher before season
The Dallas Cowboys added four running backs this season, signing Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders and drafting Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. Most NFL teams don't carry four running backs on their active roster, so one of the four won't be on the team in Week 1. Since Blue and Mafah were both recent draft picks, both will likely make the team, leaving either Williams or Sanders looking for a new home. Douglas Fritz from ClutchPoints thinks Sanders could be traded before the start of the NFL season. "It makes sense for the Cowboys to settle on a starter and have Blue get a decent amount of touches in a secondary role," Fritz wrote. "If the Cowboys split carries between Sanders and Williams, it won't leave many scraps for Blue. And right now, it appears Williams has the inside track to start at the position. That's true even though scoffed at the idea of Williams solving the Cowboys' backfield issues."Sanders, a six-year veteran, has spent time playing with the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers, rushing for 4,345 yards in 84 games. The 28-year-old running back signed a one-year, $1 million contract this offseason, and there is a chance he won't be playing out the deal with the Cowboys.
