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Javonte Williams is scheduled to become a free agent in March and the Denver Broncos are not expected to re-sign him, making running back a key position of need for the team in 2025.
One of the team’s options in free agency could be Dallas Cowboys pending free agent Rico Dowdle, who had a breakout season in 2024. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently published his list of ideal landing spots for some of the NFL’s top free agent RBs, and he has Dowdle linked to Denver.
Knox wrote that the Broncos “should be willing to invest in a starting-caliber back in 2025.” He noted that the team now has its quarterback of the future in Bo Nix, but the club ranked just 21st in yards per carry last season.
Knox believes Dowdle could be the solution. Set to turn 27 this summer, Dowdle rushed for 1,079 yards and two touchdowns last season, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He also hauled in 39 receptions for 249 yards and three more scores.
Spotrac.com has estimated that Dowdle has a market value of about $6.2 million on a one-year deal. Such a deal would make Dowdle the highest-paid running back on Denver’s roster, earning far more than Jaleel McLaughlin ($1,030,000), Audric Estime ($960,000), Tyler Badie ($960,000) and Blake Watson ($960,000).
The Broncos can begin negotiating with pending free agents on March 10 ahead of the start of the NFL’s new league year on March 12.