Javonte Williams Crushes Melvin Gordon’s Value, But Will He Reach the RB1 Heights With Denver’s QB Play?

Shawn Siegele
April 30, 2021

Javonte Williams was selected by the Denver Broncos with the No. 35 pick in the NFL draft. He will quickly wrestle starting duties from Melvin Gordon, but will he be able to thrive in an offense led by Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater?

Williams had plenty of supporters as the top running back in this draft, and the Broncos couldn’t resist early in the second round. They sport a potentially electric offense with Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler, Noah Fant, Albert Okwuegbunam, and now Williams. Unfortunately, their QB options struggled in almost every category.

Bridgewater and Lock threw barely more touchdowns than interceptions, averaged paltry numbers in yards per attempt, struggled to get the ball deep, and couldn’t connect on those passes when they did.

The lack of quality QB play corrupted the entire Denver offense and led to the departure of Phillip Lindsay. The former UDFA-turned-fleeting-star was frequently scapegoated over the last two years, but the problem could easily be explained by Lock’s presence.

Javonte Williams won’t be a 1-for-1 replacement. If things go to plan in Denver, he’ll quickly replace both Lindsay and Gordon. For that to happen, he’ll need to be the back that enthusiasts paint as the top RB prospect in the NFL draft.

Javonte Williams Is a Star-in-the-Making: Can He Thrive in Denver?

Williams jumped Travis Etienne in my lasted rookie draft projection. In my Williams breakdown, I’ll look at his new comps in the Box Score Scout, explore his results from the All the Metrics series, and discuss where to select the North Carolina product in rookie drafts and dynasty startups.

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Shawn Siegele

Author of the original Zero RB article and 2013 NFFC Primetime Grand Champion. 11-time main event league winner. 2015, 2017, 2018 titles in MFL10 of Death.

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