Javonte Williams vs Jonathan Taylor: Who Should You Start?
If you are choosing between Javonte Williams and Jonathan Taylor for your lineup, you are not alone. Javonte Williams finished the 2025 season at 14.1 PPG for the Dallas Cowboys (16 games), and Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 for the Indianapolis Colts (17 games).
That 5.9-point weekly advantage for Jonathan Taylor is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.
Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Javonte Williams profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Javonte Williams sits Week 7 while Jonathan Taylor is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
