Dallas Cowboys helmet shown. The team signed Javonte Williams.
Dallas Cowboys helmet (Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)

The Dallas Cowboys have finally made a notable move in free agency, landing former Denver Broncos running back to bolster their offense.

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Cowboys have signed Javonte Williams to a one-year deal worth $3 million, though it can be as much as $3.5 million with incentives. Williams spent his first four NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos.

Dallas’ lead running back of 2024, Rico Dowdle, is a free agent and seems poised to sign elsewhere. Ezekiel Elliott’s return to Dallas produced minimal results, and he’s unlikely to return as well.

Javonte Williams joins a Cowboys RB room that only has Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn on its depth chart. Williams, at least the projected RB1 for the time being, has two seasons of over 1,000 scrimmage yards under his belt.

Williams showed signs of growing into a star during his 2021 rookie year, when he rushed for 903 yards, and four touchdowns to go along with 43 receptions for 316 yards and three receiving TDs.

Unfortunately, Javonte Williams was limited to four games as a sophomore before suffering season-ending ACL and LCL tears. In 2023, he rushed for 774 yards and three touchdowns, compiling 1,002 total yards of offense.

Cowboys Are The Ideal Landing Spot For Javonte Williams

Javonte Williams (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

The Cowboys have a long and successful history of churning out 1,000-yard rushers, with DeMarco Murray, Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle all hitting the feat dating back to 2014.

So if Javonte Williams ends up being the lead running back, he’ll be in an excellent position to have a career year. Of course, there’s a good chance that Jerry Jones will still look to add at the position, with many believing that he’ll target Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty in round one.