Javonte Williams vs Saquon Barkley: Who Should You Start?
The gap between Javonte Williams and Saquon Barkley is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.7 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Javonte Williams averaged 14.1 PPG with the Dallas Cowboys across 16 games, and Saquon Barkley posted 13.4 with the Philadelphia Eagles in 16.
When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. Javonte Williams ran for 1201 yards and 11 touchdowns; Saquon Barkley posted 1140 and 7. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.
Javonte Williams has his bye in Week 7, and Saquon Barkley rests in Week 5. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
