Denver Broncos fantasy football advice for the 2022 season

2 of 4

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 05: Javonte Williams #33 of the Denver Broncos stiff arms Willie Gay Jr. #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

Denver Broncos fantasy football preview: Running Backs

Javonte Williams

Average Draft Position- Late Second Round

Average RB Ranking- RB 11

I truly believe that had the Broncos not re-signed Melvin Gordon that Javonte Williams would be in the first round of all fantasy drafts.

Williams has all the tools needed to be a bell-cow running back but for now, he will still have to split the load with Gordon. Unlike last year though, Williams comes in as the presumed starter and to be the lead guy rather than the 50/50 split we saw all of last year.

While I have high expectations for Williams and expect a great year, I’m not as excited about the second-round pick that you’ll likely have to use on him.

We don’t know exactly how Coach Hackett will handle the snaps between the two backs and that is a bit intimidating.

With that being said we see many duos face this situation and still see success for the starter. Look at Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt or Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon for reference.

The best-case scenario is we see Javonte put together a lot of games as he did in Kansas City last season. In that contest, we saw him get 78% of the snaps and turn that into 23 carries, 102 rushing yards, six catches, 76 receiving yards, and a touchdown.

That ended with 28 points in points per reception leagues. For a talented back like Williams, the risk just may be worth it.

Melvin Gordon

Average Draft Position- Mid-Eighth Round

Average RB Ranking- RB 33

Gordon is at the age where most running backs seemingly lose a big step, will he be the next victim of “Father Time”?

Likely are gone the times of Gordon being a focal part of your fantasy rosters but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a nice depth piece. The main focus will be if Gordon keeps his role as the goal line back this upcoming year.

He contributed eight rushing touchdowns to Williams’s four. However, this is a new coaching staff and they may choose to go with the bruiser in Williams.

Where he is being drafted there aren’t very many starting running backs left and that is where you must decide between Gordon or the upside of a younger guy like James Cook or Rhamondre Stevenson.

I likely won’t be drafting Gordon but with a higher-scoring offense, both backs could be serviceable.

Home/Broncos Fantasy Football