The Top 3 free agent landing spots for former BYU running back Jamaal Williams

Jamaal Williams is one of the best running backs in BYU history and has gone on to carve out a solid eight-year NFL career. After two mostly disappointing seasons with the New Orleans Saints, the team recently made the decision to cut the former BYU star. Despite two down years with the Saints, Jamaal is just two years removed from a 1,066 yard season with an NFL-leading 17 touchdowns with the Detroit Lions.

As Jamaal Williams enters his age-30 season and with most teams preferring younger running backs to veterans, he’s going to need to be selective about which team he joins if he wants to carry the ball a lot. Here are the three top landing spots for the former BYU star when free agency begins on March 12th:

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings know Jamaal well after facing him twice a year during his two outstanding seasons with their division rival Detroit Lions. As things currently stand, the Vikings only have one running back currently under contract, and that’s Ty Chandler who has 663 career rushing yards since being drafted in 2022. He’s not going to move the needle.

The Vikings are coming off a 14-3 record in the uber competitive NFC North. This is a team with aspirations for a deep playoff run in 2025 and may choose to rely on affordable, experienced veterans like Jamaal Williams.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys currently have just two running backs under contract for 2025: Deuce Vaughan and Malik Davis. Vaughan has 110 career rushing yards in two NFL seasons while Davis has 161 career rushing yards but hasn’t had a carry since 2022. They are both smaller backs who don’t have the strength to grind out third-and-2 runs like a 224-pound Jamaal Williams can.

Dallas’s front office must be feeling the pressure of falling behind division rivals Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders. The Cowboys front office might be willing to err on the side of bringing in a proven veteran like Jamaal Williams for “and short” packages instead of giving the rock to a younger, less-proven player.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are coming off a disastrous 3-14 season and hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft. Some mock drafts have them selecting either quarterback Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. If they invest their top pick in a quarterback, they’d better surround him with at least a few experienced veterans who can help him both on and off the field.

Jamaal Williams could be a solid one-year rental for the Browns. While third-year running back Jerome Ford has played well rushing for over 1,300 yards and seven touchdowns over the last two years, the Browns have virtually no depth behind him. Jamaal could be a good option to spell Ford some wear and tear by running between the tackles, while also helping a young quarterback with smart, veteran pass protection.