The 2026 free agent operating again class is spectacular, highlighted by Kenneth Walker III, Breece Corridor and Travis Etienne. We’ll see if any of these operating backs change groups this offseason, however none of them shall be headed to Dallas.
The Cowboys determined to signal Javonte Williams to a three-year contract extension for $24 million, together with $16 million assured. Williams, who turns 26 in April, can now construct on his stable 2025 marketing campaign when he was the No. 12 PPR operating again at 15.2 factors per sport.
In his first season in Dallas, Williams had 252 carries for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns and 35 catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 51 targets. He scored a minimum of 17.9 PPR factors in six of his first eight video games and averaged 18.6 PPR factors over that span.
He struggled within the second half of the season when he averaged simply 11.8 PPR factors over his remaining eight video games (he missed Week 18 with a shoulder harm). However he impressed the Cowboys sufficient to offer him a long-term extension.
Fantasy managers ought to contemplate Williams a stable No. 2 operating again in all leagues, and I’ve him at No. 20 in my early operating again rankings. I’d contemplate drafting Williams as early as Spherical 5.
Williams ought to as soon as once more be a hefty workload in 2026, and he was No. 10 in carries in 2025 and No. 13 in whole touches. Barring a major change, the Cowboys will go along with Malik Davis and Jaydon Blue as their prime backups, and neither pose a major risk to Williams when wholesome.
And, hopefully, we’ll get extra work for Williams within the passing sport in 2026. He began the 2025 marketing campaign with 24 catches on 34 targets in his first eight video games, however he solely had 11 catches on 17 targets in his remaining eight outings, which led to his second-half decline.
Dallas has lots of mouths to feed on offense, particularly because it seems like George Pickens will return in 2026 on a minimum of the franchise tag if a long-term deal is not reached. Together with CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson, Dak Prescott can unfold the ball round to a number of stars with out having to characteristic Williams.
That mentioned, Williams ought to get sufficient work in a top-tier offense — the Cowboys had been No. 2 in whole yards per sport (391.9) and No. 7 in scoring (27.7 factors) — and we like featured operating backs on this state of affairs. Williams staying in Dallas is nice information for his Fantasy worth.
We’ll proceed to observe the place Walker, Corridor and Etienne, amongst others, find yourself this offseason. However Williams is aware of the place he is enjoying in 2026, and he has the prospect to be a Fantasy star since he’ll stay with the star on his helmet for doubtlessly the subsequent three years.
