Javonte Williams vs. Bam Knight: Who’s the Best Week 9 MNF DraftKings Showdown RB?

It’s Monday Night Football, and your DraftKings Showdown lineup is missing one critical piece: the right running back. Do you go with the explosive but injury-prone Javonte Williams, or the underdog sleeper Bam Knight, who’s quietly carving out a role? The wrong pick could cost you the win. Let’s break it down.

Why This Matchup Matters in Week 9

Monday Night Football isn’t just another game—it’s the prime-time stage where DFS legends are made (or broken). In Week 9, the Broncos and Chiefs face off in a divisional clash that’s perfect for Showdown slates. Why? Because Kansas City’s offense is a fantasy goldmine, and Denver’s backfield is a puzzle begging to be solved.

Javonte Williams is the known commodity: a former second-round pick with burst, power, and a nose for the end zone. But after a torn ACL in 2022, he’s still shaking off rust. Meanwhile, Bam Knight—the undrafted, hard-running backup—has been stealing snaps and turning heads with his physicality. This isn’t just a RB1 vs. RB2 debate; it’s a high-stakes gamble on upside vs. reliability.

And here’s the kicker: In DraftKings Showdown, every yard, every touchdown, every missed tackle matters twice as much. One big play can swing your entire lineup. So who do you trust?

The Case for Javonte Williams: The High-Floor Workhorse

✅ Why He’s the "Safe" Pick

• Volume is king in DFS, and Javonte is the clear lead back. Even in a committee, he’s averaging 12-15 touches per game—critical in Showdown where consistency wins.
• Red-zone usage: Williams has 5 rushing TDs in his last 8 games against the Chiefs. KC’s defense is stout, but they do give up goals near the stripe.
• Pass-game upside: With 15+ receptions this season, he’s a sneaky PPR asset. In a game where Denver will likely be playing catch-up, dump-offs could be gold.

⚠️ The Risks You Can’t Ignore

• Injury history: That ACL tear lingers. He’s looked hesitant at times, and one wrong cut could sideline him (and your lineup).
• Game script nightmare: If the Broncos fall behind early (likely), Denver might abandon the run entirely. We’ve seen Javonte disappear in blowouts.
• Bam Knight vulturing: Knight has out-snapped Williams in short-yardage situations twice this season. Poaching a TD is a real threat.

Best for: Cash-game players who need a floor, or GPP builders stacking him with Russell Wilson in a "game stack" strategy.

The Case for Bam Knight: The Boom-or-Bust Lottery Ticket

🚀 Why He Could Win You the Night

• Physical freak: At 220 lbs with 4.5 speed, Knight is built for breaking tackles. His 3.8 YAC (yards after contact) leads Denver’s backfield.
• TD-dependent upside: In Week 7, he turned 3 carries into 2 touchdowns. In Showdown, where TDs = 6x points, that’s lineup-breaking value.
• Cheap salary: Priced at $2K-$3K less than Williams on most slates, he lets you pay up for Travis Kelce or Patrick Mahomes elsewhere.

💥 The Catch (Because There’s Always a Catch)

• Zero guaranteed volume: Knight has 5+ carries only twice this season. If the game script goes pass-heavy, he might not see the field.
• No pass-game role: He’s yet to catch a target in 2023. In PPR formats, that’s a death knell if he doesn’t score.
• Coach’s trust issues: Sean Payton has been notoriously unpredictable with RB usage. Knight could get 1 snap or 10—no rhyme or reason.

Best for: Tournament players hunting for a low-owned, high-ceiling flex play. Pair him with a Chiefs stack for correlation.

Head-to-Head: Stats That Tell the Real Story

Metric	Javonte Williams (2023)	Bam Knight (2023)
Rush Attempts/Game	12.4	4.1
Yards Per Carry	3.9	4.5
Red-Zone Touches	8	5
Missed Tackles Forced	12	9 (on 30% fewer carries)
DraftKings Salary (Showdown)	$8,200	$5,400

Key takeaway: Williams is the volume play; Knight is the efficiency play. If you believe in opportunity > talent, go Javonte. If you’re chasing explosive plays per touch, Bam’s your guy.

How to Decide: A 3-Step Cheat Sheet

1. Check the Game Script Projections

Use tools like NumberFire or FTN Fantasy to see:

• Is Denver projected to stay within 10 points? → Javonte (more rushing volume).
• Are the Broncos 7+ point underdogs? → Bam (TD-or-bust upside in garbage time).

2. Look at Ownership Percentages

In DraftKings Showdown, low-owned players win tournaments. Use RotoGrinders to see:

• If Javonte is 30%+ owned, fade him in GPPs (too chalky).
• If Bam is under 10% owned, he’s a prime contrarian pick.

3. Stack Smartly

Correlation matters in Showdown. Pair your RB with:

• Javonte + Russell Wilson: Safe floor if Denver scores.
• Bam + Chiefs D/ST: Chaos play—if Bam scores, it’s likely in a Broncos loss (good for KC defense).

Expert Takes: What the Pros Are Saying

@DFS_Karma (Twitter): "Bam Knight is the ultimate ‘if he scores, you win’ play. I’m firing him in 20% of lineups because no one else will."

FantasyPros Consensus: "Javonte is the only Broncos RB with a top-20 RB finish this season. Pay up for safety in cash games."

EstablishTheRun (YouTube): "Knight’s per-carry metrics are elite. If he gets 8+ touches, he’s a league-winner at this price."

Final Verdict: Who Should You Start?

Cash Games: Javonte Williams (higher floor, safer usage).

Tournaments (GPPs): Bam Knight (lower owned, TD-dependent ceiling).

Best of Both Worlds? Fade both and pivot to Isiah Pacheco (if you’re feeling spicy).

But here’s the truth: There’s no "wrong" answer. DFS is about narratives. If you believe in:

• Volume and reliability → Javonte.
• Big plays and chaos → Bam.

What’s Next? Week 10 Preview & Beyond

This Broncos backfield isn’t going away. Keep an eye on:

• Javonte’s snap share: If he dips below 50% again, it’s a red flag.
• Bam’s red-zone role: Another TD steal could make him a weekly flex option.
• Trade deadline moves: Denver might add a RB (cough, Kareem Hunt, cough), shaking up the depth chart.

Related: DFS Showdown Strategy for Beginners

Related: Week 9 NFL Player Props: Best Bets for MNF

Your Move: Lock In Your Lineup

The clock’s ticking. The Chiefs-Broncos Showdown slate locks at 8:15 PM ET, and you’ve got a decision to make. Will you play it safe with Javonte, or swing for the fences with Bam?

Drop your lineup in the comments—let’s see who’s bold enough to ride the Bam Knight hype train. And if you’re still unsure, join our free DFS Discord where we’re breaking down every angle live.

🚀 Ready to dominate? Set your DraftKings Showdown lineup now—and may the fantasy gods be with you.