One Cowboys star had a career-best year in 2025, but is still being seen as average entering 2026.
There were a lot of positives to come out of the 2025 season for the Dallas Cowboys' offense under Brian Schottenheimer.
Dak Prescott's Pro Bowl season and George Pickens' career year both took all the headlines, and such was the level of play from the pair that another player had a career year, and it might be getting overlooked.
And that's Javonte Williams.
Coming to the Cowboys after being pushed out by the Denver Broncos due to being down the depth chart because of form and injury, Javonte came to Dallas as an unknown.
But it quickly became apparent that Williams was going to be a good addition to the offense, and 1,201 yards and 11 TDs later, Javonte was a steal.
Hitting career highs in both yards and touchdowns, Williams was the main reason the Cowboys boasted a top-10 run game in 2025.
Now, the 7-9-1 record takes some of the shine off of what was accomplished by the offense, but Williams' year was good, real good.
But in PFF's ranking of the starting running backs in football, Javonte comes in at No. 16, literally middle of the pack.
"Williams’ career was rejuvenated in Dallas last season," PFF wrote. "His bruising running style allowed him to finish the regular season with 1,201 rushing yards and 54 missed tackles forced, both top-10 marks in the NFL. He also placed among the top six qualified running backs with 3.56 yards after contact per carry and 67 first downs gained during the regular season."
Is that fair? That is in the eye of the beholder.
But in truth, 2025 was Javonte's first really good season in the NFL. Previously, his best return in a single year was 903 yards in 2021 (rookie season) and just four rushing touchdowns (had it twice, in 2021 and 2024).
So, Javonte had some solid seasons, but never one as consistent as he had in 2025, so it might be natural for outlets to want to see him do it again in 2026.
Another 1,200-yard season, with double-digit touchdowns, in theory, should see Javonte climb the list of top running backs in football.
Having produced for one season, Williams, if he wants to gain more respect from people who make these sorts of lists, is going to have to double down and go again.
And in Dallas' offense, he's every chance to do it.
