Jerry Jones Dallas Cowboys
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Jerry Jones Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys made the team’s first major move of NFL free agency, and it could mean starting running back Rico Dowdle may be playing elsewhere in 2025. Dallas agreed to terms with former Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams.
“Former Broncos RB Javonte Williams is signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the Cowboys, per sources,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero detailed in a series of March 10, 2025, messages on X. “Max $3.5M with incentives.
“Javonte Williams had one of the best games of his career at AT&T Stadium, rushing 17 times for a career-high 111 yards as a rookie in a 30-16 win in 2021. Now, he’s headed to Dallas full-time.”
The move could signal the end of Dowdle’s time in Dallas, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. Like Williams, Dowdle is also a free agent. Spotrac project Dowdle’s market value to be a one-year, $6.1 million contract.
“Cowboys hoping Javonte Williams can fill the Rico Dowdle role,” Schultz remarked in a March 10, X post. “Still a young player in this league.”
Here’s what the Cowboys are getting with the addition of Williams.
The Cowboys Could Still Target a Running Back in the 2025 NFL Draft
The newest Cowboys running back has yet to top 1,000 rushing yards during his four NFL seasons. Williams posted 139 carries for 513 yards and 4 touchdowns in 17 appearances during the 2024 season, including 11 starts.
The running back also added a career-high 52 receptions for 346 yards in 2024. The playmaker started a total of 29 games over his four years in Denver. Dallas could still add a running back in the NFL draft despite agreeing to terms with Williams.
“Javonte Williams is a pretty meh runner at this point in his career,” The 33rd Team’s Marcus Mosher said in a March 10, post on X. “But he was pretty good as a pass blocker last year and is a functional receiver. This is a placeholder until the draft.”