Finding This Year's Javonte Williams: Rachaad White Is The Overlooked RB With Workhorse Upside In 2026
Fantasy

Finding This Year's Javonte Williams: Rachaad White Is The Overlooked RB With Workhorse Upside In 2026

Adam Pfeifer reveals who he thinks will be this season's Javonte Williams—the running back that emerges from an ambiguous backfield to become a workhorse and massively outperform their ADP.

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Every single season, there are one or two ambiguous backfields in the NFL. And while the uncertainty can create potential headaches on draft day, that same uncertainty can lead to serious upside if you plant your flag and things break right.

It can lead to 2025 Javonte Williams.

This time last season, we were legitimately debating whether Williams, Jaydon Blue or Miles Sanders would lead this Dallas backfield. That was a thing that actually happened. Hindsight is obviously 20/20, but we probably should have sided with the former top prospect who was finally healthy and moving to a great offense. But hey, these things happen. Williams wasted no time clearing up any ambiguity, logging 80% of the snaps, 71% of the rush attempts and 77% of the routes in Week 1. And from that point on, he didn’t look back.

Once considered uncertain, the Dallas backfield fully belonged to Williams, who logged 69% of the snaps, 64% of the rush attempts, 79% of the short-down-and-distance snaps and 77% of the inside-the-five rush attempts en route to a top-12 fantasy finish. And because he was drafted outside the top-35 running backs, Williams cemented himself as one of the top values on draft day. 

Fast forward to 2026, and we once again have a few difficult backfields to project. But seeing Williams go from potential committee trap back to an every-down, league-winning workhorse last year is proof that we should be embracing that uncertainty, rather than avoiding it. And while the identity of the player remains unclear, we do know that there will be a 2026 version of Javonte Williams. A later-round fantasy selection emerges from a crowded backfield every single year. It’s a reason Zero-RB is a viable draft strategy after all. Here are a few backfields that stand out:

  • Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Washington Commanders
  • Denver Broncos
  • Minnesota Vikings

But after plenty of back and forth, I’ve come to a conclusion. This year’s Javonte Williams will be …

WAS_commanders-logo.svgRachaad White | RB | Commanders

  • ADP: RB38, 113.3 overall

Look. I get it. Everybody loves Bill. Well, technically, Everybody Loves Raymond. But in the fantasy football world, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who was so impressive last offseason that the Commanders were content with their decision to trade then starter Brian Robinson. 

Croskey-Merritt emerged as the “lead” running back in Washington, and the seventh-round rookie did some good things. He ranked 15th in yards per carry (4.6) and seventh in YAC/ATT (3.50). But even with Robinson gone and Austin Ekeler missing all but two games, Croskey-Merritt failed to earn a featured role, averaging just 10.8 touches per game (38th). From Week 3 on, JCM logged just 41% of the snaps, 44% of the rush attempts and 38% of the carries from inside the five-yard line. His upside was really capped due to the lack of work in the passing game, which isn’t too surprising considering he wasn’t a huge pass-catcher in college. 

Enter Rachaad White.

Once a lead back in Tampa Bay, White has played more of a complementary role as of late. The Commanders brought him in on a one-year deal to handle the passing downs role, which he should dominate with ease. One of the better pass-catching running backs in football, White has hauled in at least 40 passes each year of his career. And perhaps no one is more familiar with a third-down role, as White has run more third-down routes than any other running back in football since 2023 (370), averaging nearly 7.5 per game. Last season, Croskey-Merritt handled just 25% of the routes, 1% of the two-minute snaps and less than 6% of third downs. White will immediately step in and operate as Washington’s primary pass-catching option. 

But there’s upside for more.

Admittedly, the efficiency between the tackles has not been very impressive from White. Among 56 running backs with at least 200 rushes since 2023, he ranks 40th in YPC (4.0), 34th in first downs per rush (21.5%), 37th in YBC/ATT (1.1), 43rd in YAC/ATT (2.7) and 48th in avoided tackle rate (15.7%). Not great, Bob! However, he at least has the track record of playing an every-down role, something no one else in this Washington backfield can say. In 2023, White saw as much work as nearly any running back in the league:

  • 272 carries (2nd)
  • 79% snap share (4th)
  • 69% of routes (3rd)
  • 19.7 touches per game (5th) 

White finished that season as the RB10 in PPR PPG (15.7), and his versatility gives him a great chance to emerge as the lead back again, this time in Washington. The efficiency should also take a step forward alongside Jayden Daniels. On top of having an immediate rapport with his former college teammate, White should benefit from some extra running room with Daniels under center. Because of his elite mobility, opposing defenses constantly have to worry about Daniels taking off, which is why I wasn’t at all surprised to see the Commanders lead the NFL in yards before contact per attempt since 2024 (3.38). He is unlikely to finish top-five in touches as he did in 2023, but White could easily see a spike in efficiency in Washington.

Because Croskey-Merritt was a seventh-round draft pick last year, the Commanders really aren’t obligated to keep giving him the ball if he’s struggling. Especially since there is a brand-new offensive system being placed. There have been plenty of instances where a late-round (or even undrafted) running back impresses as a rookie, appears to be headed for a lead role, and then is replaced. Because White is the more versatile player, I do believe White has a strong chance of supplanting Croskey-Merritt in Washington. And if Daniels can stay healthy, Washington’s offense can return to being a top-tier unit, which really unlocks the top-12 upside for White.

Last year in Dallas, Williams played well and dominated the work. But what really helped him out was playing in a great Cowboys offense, leading to 13 total touchdowns and averaging 1.3 inside the five carries per game (4th). Shifting the conversation back to Washington, White could also benefit from playing in a great offense, especially if he can take the short-yardage role, one that Croskey-Merritt lost to Chris Rodriguez a season ago. And for those who need a reminder, here is how Washington’s offense looked with a healthy Jayden Daniels in 2024:

  • 2.72 points per drive (4th)
  • 30.7% TD per drive (5th)
  • 63.4% red zone efficiency (6th)
  • 6.73 plays per drive (3rd)

Both White and Bill are being drafted outside the top-35 running backs, and the truth is, both are really strong clicks in that range. Hell, both could even manage to outperform their ADP. Back in 2024, both Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler finished as top-30 PPG running backs in this Washington offense. However, one player has more of a ceiling. One player has a better chance of becoming the featured option. 

One player could be this year’s Javonte Williams.

Players Mentioned in this Article

  1. Rachaad White
    RachaadWhite
    RBWASWAS
    PPG
    7.2
    Proj
    107.6

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