The Dallas Cowboys are looking at an oddly similar situation to last offseason.
They've got a running back coming off a quality campaign who is now heading for free agency. They have to decide whether to pay him or move on.
A year ago, with Rico Dowdle, they cut ties. Dowdle went to the Carolina Panthers to be a backup and ended up having quite the big season when he got his opportunity.
This time around, Javonte Williams is the RB in question.
Williams came to Dallas as the Dowdle replacement. The Cowboys also signed Miles Sanders and drafted a pair of running backs, too, but the plan all along was for Williams to lead the backfield.
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That's exactly what he did, in such a way that Dallas has to consider whether it needs to make the reverse Dowdle decision and actually re-sign Williams.
As far as ESPN's Matt Bowen is concerned, that's what should happen. He writes that the Cowboys are the best fit for Williams in free agency.
"Williams returning to Dallas makes sense after he rushed for a career-high 1,201 yards in coach Brian Schottenheimer's offense," Bowen writes. "With his explosive movement and north/south power, Williams can keep his role as the Cowboys' lead back and contribute as a pass catcher for quarterback Dak Prescott."
When Williams was in Denver, injuries sapped what looked to be a promising career. It wasn't clear he'd ever get back to the level he showed right when he entered the NFL.
But with the Cowboys, Williams looked like that early Broncos self again.
It might be wise for Dallas to keep its talented RB around this time.
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