Damien Williams
  • Damien Williams

  • RB
  • , Arizona Cardinals
  • 32
  • 221 lbs
  • 5' 11"
PtsRuYdsRuTDRecRecYds
6430212
Full Season Projection
  • Full Season Projection
  • Dfs Projection
  • $
  • -
  • -
  • $
  • -
  • -
  • $
  • -
  • -
  • Left-scroll
  • middle-scroll
  • Right-scroll

Scouting report

by Jordan Heck

CHI RB Damien Williams - Week 3 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 3 at Cleveland Browns

Damien Williams played even fewer snaps in Week 2 (23%), and was barely noticeable. He ran two times for six yards, and caught two passes (off three targets) for negative two yards. Williams should be sidelined until he can show more production.

by Jordan Heck

CHI RB Damien Williams - Week 2 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 2 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Damien Williams had a solid role in his first game with the Bears. He played on 43% of the offensive snaps and was involved as both a runner and receiver. Williams finished with six carries for 12 yards and 4-28 on five targets. It'll be interesting to see how the Bears utilize Williams once Tarik Cohen returns, but as for now, he'll have a decent role in this offense. He'll have some low-end RB3 appeal in PPR formats in a favorable matchup against the Bengals. Cincinnati allowed 11 receptions to RBs in Week 1, which was third-most in the league.

by Jordan Heck

CHI RB Damien Williams - Week 1 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 1 at Los Angeles Rams

Damien Williams will back up David Montgomery with Tarik Cohen out. But Williams doesn't really fill the void of Cohen in terms of being a primary receiving back, so it's hard to see a big role for Williams in Week 1. He should get a few touches just to give Montgomery a breather, but not enough to make him relevant in fantasy. Plus, he gets a tough matchup against the Rams. Williams isn't worth playing in Week 1.

by Jordan Heck

KC RB Damien Williams - 2020 Fantasy Football Outlook

Damien Williams announced he is opting out of the 2020 NFL season, meaning he will not play. If you were thinking of drafting Williams, you should instead turn your attention to rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire. (7/29)

Fantasy Upside
Chiefs GM Brett Veach said Damien Williams will enter the season as the starting running back, despite Kansas City spending a first-round pick on Clyde Edwards-Helaire. When healthy, Williams has been dominant in Kansas City’s backfield as a runner and pass-catcher. In the seven games (including postseason) where he played at least 60% of the offensive snaps, Williams averaged 106.5 scrimmage yards and scored 14 touchdowns.

Fantasy Downside
The obvious downside to Williams is the arrival of Edwards-Helaire. Even though Veach said Williams will enter as the starter, he also referred to Edwards-Helaire as “a franchise running back.” Williams was able to shine late in the season last year because he saw more playing time, but if that gets cut then his production will obviously suffer. Williams is also injury prone, playing in just 11 games last year and playing fewer than 40% of the snaps in three games as he left early.

2020 Bottom Line
Williams has been very productive when he’s on the field, but his injury risks and the arrival of Edwards-Helaire are real concerns. He’ll still be useful as a fantasy option, but he’ll only bring that high-level of production if Edwards-Helaire misses time with injury. Williams should be viewed as a fairly productive back and a high value handcuff. We expect him to finish with around 900 scrimmage yards, and be a top 30 back in fantasy.

by Jordan Heck

KC RB Damien Williams - Week 17 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 17 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chiefs' backfield took another odd twist last week as LeSean McCoy was a healthy scratch and Spencer Ware ended up getting injured. It seems clear now that Damien Williams is the lead back once again, as he ran 16 times for 65 yards while finishing 3-21-1 as a receiver. Look for the Chiefs to lean on Williams again in Week 17 in a solid matchup against the Chargers. He likely won't dominate, but Williams should do enough to get you RB2 numbers this week.

by Jordan Heck

KC RB Damien Williams - Week 11 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 11 at Los Angeles Chargers

LeSean McCoy was a healthy scratch last week, which means the Chiefs fully believe in Damien Williams now. Williams played a season-high 73% of Kansas City's offensive snaps, and out-touched backup Darrel Williams 24-3. He finished with 109 scrimmage yards being effective as a rusher and receiver. He gets a favorable matchup against the Chargers this week who are giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs. Considering the matchup and Williams' increased workload, he should be viewed as a low-end RB1 or high-end RB2 in Week 11.

by Jordan Heck

KC RB Damien Williams - Week 10 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 10 at Tennessee Titans

Damien Williams had a huge game last week, rushing 12 times for 125 yards and a touchdown. But that should be taken with a huge grain of salt. He had a 91-yard touchdown run in the game, which means he ran 11 times for 34 yards. Williams has struggled on the ground all season, but he has scored in back-to-back games. He's also earned a lot more playing time as LeSean McCoy was relegated to six snaps last week. As long as Williams is getting touches, he'll have value, and he gets a solid matchup this week against the Titans. He should be viewed as a lower-end RB2 option.

Damien Williams news