RB Javonte Williams looks ‘real sharp’ as Broncos hit field for first acclimation practice

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Training camp is officially underway, and Javonte Williams has already caught Head Coach Sean Payton’s attention.

Following the Broncos’ first acclimation practice, Payton was asked which players stood out during an initial 90-minute session at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit.

Without yet having the advantage of reviewing the day’s film, Payton pointed to the Broncos’ leading rusher from 2023.

“I thought Javonte looked real sharp,” Payton said.

Payton said Williams has lost some weight and looked “trim” as he approaches being two years from a 2022 season-ending injury.

“[He] looked much different,” Payton said. “His weight’s down, and I’m proud of him.”

Payton said Williams’ decision to shed weight stemmed from an offseason conversation during which Payton and Williams watched the running back’s college film from North Carolina.

“I was watching his college tape in the draft room one day, and he walked in,” Payton said. “And again, he was injured last season, so this was a tough offseason. This time of the year, we were watching all the runs. I’m asking him questions and I said, ‘This is the back I want. What’d you weigh here?'”

Payton said running backs, wide receivers and cornerbacks can sometimes unintentionally add weight as they join an NFL-level strength and conditioning program, but he prefers players at those positions to play closer to what they weighed late in college or early in their NFL careers. Payton also said Williams had already planned to lose some weight when he returned in the spring, but the conversation helped further cement the decision.

With a noticeable burst on Wednesday, Williams will look to return to the production of his rookie year, when he averaged a career-high 4.4 yards per carry and 7.3 yards per reception as he totaled more than 1,200 total yards and seven touchdowns.

Williams, though,…