Williams may get more carries, but he won’t be only running back
The fans that wanted the Broncos to make Javonte Williams not only the starting running back but the nearly- every- down option got their wish one time last year.
Minus Melvin Gordon ( hip injury), Williams started and played 60 of 77 snaps in the Week 13 loss at Kansas City, carrying 23 times for 102 yards and catching six passes for 76 yards and one touchdown.
By season’s end, Williams and Gordon had carried 203 times apiece, tied for 15th in the NFL.
Now, with Nathaniel Hackett installed as the new coach/ offensive play- caller, will the workshare plan of 2021 continue or will the Broncos lean on Williams like Tennessee and Indianapolis rely on Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor, respectively?
“You want to have as many ( running backs) as you can,” Hackett said during the NFL’S annual meeting last week in Florida.
That is certainly the trend. Over the past decade, a running back has averaged 20 carries per game just seven times and Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson was the only player to do it twice. Last year, only four running backs averaged at least 15 carries per game, led by the Colts’ Taylor ( 19.5).
Teams are justifiably playing the long game with their backs — keep them fresh for the end of a season/ playoff run and keep them fresh for the duration of their rookie contract.
The Broncos traded up in last year’s draft to select Williams in the second round and immediately declared a 50- 50 plan for Gordon ( the starter) and Williams ( the second back into the game).
Gordon remains a free agent three weeks into the open market and general manager George Paton said the door remains open for his return. If Gordon concludes there isn’t an ideal fit/ ideal salary for his services, he could re- sign via a team- friendly deal.
It is time, though, for Williams to be the starter. Take the first carry. Catch the first pass out of the backfield. Maybe play the entire first quarter. He was that good as a rookie and that ready for the responsibility.
A look at Hackett’s approach during his play- calling career could provide a hint of what he has planned for the Broncos.
“Actually a lot of the places that I’ve been, there has always been kind of two guys,” he said.
Hackett has been the full- season play- caller for Buffalo ( 201314) and Jacksonville ( 2017).
2013: The Bills’ Fred Jackson and C. J. Spiller had 206 carries apiece. Buffalo finished second in rushing yards per game ( 144.2).
2014: Jackson had 141 attempts and Anthony Dixon 103 carries. Buffalo finished 25th in rushing yards per game ( 92.6).
2017: Rookie Leonard Fournette rushed 268 times, even with veterans Chris Ivory ( 112) and T. J. Yeldon ( 49) on the team. The Jaguars led the NFL in rushing ( 141.4 yards per game) on their way to the AFC title game.
During Hackett’s three years ( 2019- 21) as Green Bay’s offensive coordinator ( he didn’t call the plays), the Packers had two players with at least 100 rushing attempts each season.
“You want to have a guy that you can feed and make sure he gets a lot, but ( Williams) is still a young player and he’s still learning,” Hackett said. “You want to be sure that you split as much as you can.”
Another dimension the Broncos are considering: How to maximize Williams’ ability as a receiver. He had 43 catches last year and Hackett should be excited
about motioning him out of the backfield to go against a linebacker in open space.
The passing game will be a focal point for Williams when the offseason program begins April 11.
“He can do it all,” Paton said. “He’s a really good runner as we know. In the pass game, I think he’s one of the better pass protectors, especially as a rookie, but ( the focus is on) keep improving his hands and route- running and all of the nuances that it takes to get better.”
If the Broncos intend to take advantage of Williams’ receiving skills, they will need a solid second running back to absorb some of the early- down work.
Acknowledging the need to not overtax Williams during a 17game season, Hackett did say: “At the same time he’s a great player so we’re going to have to continually get it to him. We’ll have to see how the whole thing goes.”