Well, it appears Denver does not want Javonte Williams to be ‘the guy’

Final evening, Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season wrapped up, giving us a sight we didn’t suppose we’d see all yr: The Seattle Seahawks sitting atop the NFC West standings. Geno Smith and firm gave Broncos nation the enterprise, taking down the heavy favourite by a last of 17-16. The Broncos had a number of possibilities to win the sport, however goal-line fumbles from each Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon price Denver dearly.

The utilization of each Williams and Gordon was puzzling in and of itself. Whereas many followers, myself included, believed Williams could be the more-featured again in Denver’s offense this season, it was Gordon who obtained practically twice as many carries — 12 to Williams’ seven. This goes in opposition to all the things we heard in the course of the offseason. Gordon himself had said that the Broncos wished Williams to be “the man.” Nevertheless, the pair’s Week 1 utilization would point out that, on the very least, the 2 will cut up carries as soon as once more, or at worst, Gordon would be the function man on the bottom. Why, although?

Why would Denver refuse to re-sign Gordon, solely to convey him again on a lowered wage if Gordon was going for use so closely? Why would head coach Nathaniel Hackett sing Williams’ praises simply to make use of him minimally within the run recreation? Why would Williams be out on the sphere so typically (58 p.c of snaps), if the crew isn’t going to run with him?

These questions have been probably plaguing the heads of each Williams proprietor in fantasy, they usually’re all viable. Even Peyton Manning and Shannon Sharpe have been confused with how little Williams was getting used within the floor recreation. All through the ManningCast, Sharpe insisted that Gordon solely come into the sport when Williams was drained. When Sharpe requested Peyton if he felt the identical, the elder Manning replied, “You realize, I must agree with you there.” In all equity, maybe Peyton simply wished to look agreeable to Sharpe, and didn’t actually imagine what he mentioned, however that’s simply as probably not the case.

The query nonetheless stays although. Within the two years that Williams has been within the league, he’s been much more versatile than Gordon. Whereas the 2 match up fairly nicely when it comes to yards per carry, Williams had six rushes of 20-plus yards in 2021, in comparison with three for Gordon, regardless of each gamers dealing with the identical quantity of carries throughout the whole season. Moreover, Williams was simpler as a pass-catcher, managing 43 receptions and seven.3 yards per reception in 2021. These 43 receptions are higher than any mark Gordon has recorded within the final three years. That 7.3 yards per reception from Williams is healthier than Gordon’s mark in two of the final three full seasons. Gordon is a a lot better pass-blocker, however when it comes to operating routes, Williams has the sting.

Williams is youthful, extra explosive, and albeit, extra gifted than Gordon at this level in Gordon’s profession, and the truth that Gordon nonetheless managed 60 p.c of the carries is just not an excellent signal. Am I overreacting to a Week 1 that didn’t go in line with plan for the Broncos? Maybe. Is one week too early to begin panicking about Williams’ utilization within the run recreation? In all probability. That mentioned, Gordon made it appear as if he wouldn’t infringe on Williams’ workload previous to the season. Nevertheless, after one week, that 60/40 cut up we thought we’d see in favor of Williams seems to be leaning in Gordon’s favor. At the least Williams was concerned within the passing recreation, however ask any Williams proprietor they usually’ll let you know… that’s not sufficient.