UNC Football Alumni: Javonte Williams likely to start in Denver?

Former UNC Football standout Javonte Williams wasn’t a first-round pick or the first running back off of the board in the 2021 NFL Draft. But don’t count him out for making an instant impact in his rookie season.

With a need for more firepower on offense, the Denver Broncos opted to take Williams in the second round at No.35 overall after trading up. Going into training camp, Williams finds himself on the depth chart behind Melvin Gordon and will have to earn more reps as the Summer goes on. However, that may not lost very long into the regular season as one Broncos reporter is predicting a big year for the former Tar Heels back.

In his latest piece, Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post wrote on the Broncos’s running back situation and did say Gordon was the starter. But he thinks that Williams does take over eventually in the regular season.

"If Gordon has a productive training camp, I see a situation where he takes the first snap/series of the game and the Broncos ease Williams into a bigger role each week.Prediction: Williams leads the team in rushing attempts and yards this year."

Now, that’s pretty interesting.

Gordon is entering his seventh season in the NFL, spending time with both the Los Angeles Chargers and Broncos. The running back also has said he will help out Williams as much as he can despite there being a competition for that starting spot.

In three seasons with UNC, Williams rushed for 2,297 yards and 29 touchdowns while adding 50 receptions for 539 yards. His best season came in 2020 when he rushed for 1,140 yards and 19 touchdowns despite splitting time in the backfield with Michael Carter.

For more on Williams and other former UNC Football players in the NFL, please check back with Keeping It Heel.