Alright, let’s talk about something that chewed up a good chunk of my afternoon yesterday: trying to figure out who to roll with between Javonte Williams and Devin Singletary. It’s one of those decisions that seems simple on the surface, but the more you dig, the muddier it gets.
So, I found myself staring at my fantasy roster, needing to make a move at running back. These two names kept popping up, either on the waiver wire or maybe I was mulling over a trade offer, doesn’t matter much how I got there. The point is, it was decision time: Javonte or Devin?
My Process: Digging In
First thing I did was just pull up their basic numbers from last year. Didn’t go too crazy, just wanted a refresher. Remembered Javonte had that rough injury, so his season was cut short, making it tough to judge purely on stats. Singletary had a decent year with the Bills, split work but was involved.
But numbers only tell half the story, right? The real head-scratcher is their current situation. Here’s what I mulled over:
- Javonte Williams: Okay, the talent is there. We saw flashes before the injury. Big question is, how recovered is he really from that serious knee thing? The Broncos paid Samaje Perine, who’s pretty solid himself, especially catching passes. Plus, Sean Payton is the coach now – how does he like to split carries? Lots of unknowns. Huge potential if he’s back to form, but also a risk if he isn’t quite there or if Perine eats into his work more than expected.
- Devin Singletary: He landed in Houston. Now, my first thought was, “Okay, he’s behind Dameon Pierce.” But then I started thinking. Houston paid Singletary decent money for a backup, didn’t they? Maybe they see him having a bigger role than just spelling Pierce. Coaches sometimes like a change-of-pace guy, and Singletary is definitely different from Pierce. The Texans’ offense might be better this year too with the new QB. Still, he’s likely starting as the number two. Is his ceiling capped?
Going Back and Forth
I spent a good while just weighing these things. One minute I’d lean Javonte – thinking about that upside if he hits. He could be a true lead back. Then the injury worry would creep back in, along with Perine’s presence. Payton uses multiple backs often.
Then I’d switch to Singletary. Felt like maybe a safer floor? You kinda know what you’re getting. Probably won’t win you the week on his own, but could provide steady points, especially if Pierce gets banged up or the Texans use Singletary in specific passing situations. But that “safer floor” felt… well, kinda boring compared to Javonte’s potential home run.
I didn’t really watch film or anything super deep, more just thinking through the logic, reading the tea leaves on coach speak and contracts, and trying to get a gut feel.
Where I Landed (For Now)
After going around in circles, I ended up leaning slightly towards Devin Singletary for this particular spot on my roster. It wasn’t a slam dunk, believe me. It mostly came down to perceived risk. Javonte’s situation just felt a bit too volatile for what I needed right now. The combination of the injury return and the guaranteed money they gave Perine made me nervous.
Singletary feels like he has a defined role, even if it’s initially the smaller one. I figured his path to getting more work might actually be clearer – maybe through effectiveness or an injury to Pierce – than Javonte immediately reclaiming a bellcow role post-injury with Perine there.
Could I be wrong? Absolutely. Javonte could come out and look fantastic, making me regret this. That’s the fun of it, I guess. But for yesterday, based on my process and my gut, Singletary felt like the slightly more solid play. We’ll see how it pans out!
