The Detroit Lions drafted wide receiver Jameson Williams in the hopes that his speed and big play ability would bring a new dimension to the system, but the 23-year-old has yet to realize his full potential.
A recent analysis cautions that time may be running short. In a study of all 32 NFL teams’ strengths and weaknesses, Pro Football Focus experts Jim Wyman and Dalton Wasserman named Williams as the team’s “X-factor” for the next season, noting that he has the ability to have a significant impact if he can ultimately realize his full potential.
JAMO WAMO!!
JAMESON WILLIAMS WITH A 42 YARD TOUCHDOWN🔥
LIONS LEAD 7-0. pic.twitter.com/YkQ5QEHtO7
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) January 28, 2024
Jameson Williams Could Make the Lions ‘Unstoppable’
Wyman and Wasserman pointed out that the Lions are lacking at receiver beyond star Amon-Ra St. Brown, especially since veteran Josh Reynolds left in free agency. They expected that Williams could fill the vacuum, but he would need to perform more consistently in 2024.
“Their first-round pick from 2022 Jameson Williams has shown flashes of being able to be a playmaker in the league, but he hasn’t been able to put it all together for extended periods of time,” the analysts stated. “He’s entering his third year, so time is running out for him to become the impact player the Lions expected when they traded up for him.” However, if he hits his full potential, the Lions’ already formidable offense might become unbeatable.
Williams has faced multiple setbacks in his career, including a ruptured ACL in the College Football Playoff National Championship, which cost him the first part of his NFL rookie season. As a rookie, he appeared in six games and caught one pass for a touchdown of 41 yards.
Williams had a difficult start to his second NFL season as well, serving a six-game ban for breaching the league’s gambling rules, which was later reduced to four games.
Williams started slowly but gradually increased his role as the season progressed, recording 11 catches for 159 yards in his final three games. He also performed admirably in the playoffs, catching two passes for 25 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Championship game and adding a 42-yard rushing touchdown.
Recipient earns Dan Campbell offers high praise.
Williams’ third season appears to be off to a better start than his previous two. The quick wide receiver has been a standout during the team’s OTAs, earning high accolades from head coach Dan Campbell, who named him the team’s most improved player.
“We started this thing back in April, and you’ve had Phase One for a few weeks,” Campbell told SI.com. “Then we spent three weeks on the grass in Phase Two, which included routes on air, fundamentals, individual, and doing all of things. And then we’re two sessions in, and if you said, ‘Give me one person who has improved the most from start to finish in that period,’ Jamo would be the guy right now. He’s a man on a mission, and I’ll leave it at that. Alright? I’ll leave it at that.
