With Melvin Gordon scheduled to become 29-year-old free agent next spring, Javonte Williams is widely considered the Denver Broncos’ running back of the future.
That’s probably a fair title, but he could also make a case to be the RB of the present, too. Williams will likely split touches with Gordon to begin the season, but the rookie back has all the tools necessarily to emerge as the starter at some point during the season.
“Javonte, he’s an explosive runner,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said on June 16. “He did a really nice job in the passing game with regard to protection. He [also] displayed an ability to catch the ball [in college], which are all things that we’ve seen in the training.
“You never really know how a guy learns until you work with him. Having worked with him now, he’s a quick learner and he’s got great instincts with regard to football. It shows up on the field.”
Williams can obviously run the ball well, he can pass block well, and he can catch the ball as a receiver out of the backfield — there’s really no reason he has to come off the field. However, Denver will want to keep their backs fresh and healthy, so it makes sense to use a RB rotation.
Sooner than later, though, Williams could end up being the RB1.
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