PAST PRODUCTION (College)

Jameson Williams was a four-star prospect out of St. Louis, MO who broke Ezekiel Elliott’s 300-meter hurdle state record in high school. He starred both on the football field and the track and after a difficult decision between Alabama, Oregon, and Ohio State, eventually committed to the Buckeyes. Williams played sparingly as a reserve and special-teamer during his true freshman season. Williams started six games in 2020 but caught just nine passes for 154 yards and two scores as the fourth option in a loaded wide receiver depth chart that included Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, and Garrett Wilson at the time. 

Before the 2021 season, Williams chose to enter the transfer portal and committed to Alabama. The rest is history, as he linked up with Crimson Tide QB Bryce Young and fellow wideout John Metchie III and enjoyed an immense breakout season. Williams started all 15 games Alabama played last season and ripped through the SEC. He compiled 79 receptions, 1,572 receiving yards (ranking fifth in the FBS), and 15 receiving touchdowns (ranking third in the FBS). He was named a first-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-SEC wide receiver, and Co-SEC Special Teams Player of the Year, as well as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.

While Jameson Williams did measure in at a disappointing 6’ 1.5” 179 lbs. at the NFL Combine, it’s not often a team gets a chance to draft an early-declare who runs in the 4.3s and just dominated the best conference college football has to offer. Williams was mentioned back in September 2021 by your author as a likely NFL first-round pick. While Williams’ meteoric rise from virtual unknown to the top of the draft board surprised many, but the pick is certainly justified. The traits that he possesses in terms of linear speed and reliable hands virtually take cover-one, man-to-man defense off of the table as an option for opposing teams. 

All 15 of Alabama’s Jameson Williams’ receiving TDs, which led the SEC.

Williams was clocked at 23 mph during one of Alabama’s practices. Doubt he falls to the #Titans at 26 but I can dream lol. pic.twitter.com/vWCkZq8lq8

— Wes Wisley (@TitansStats) February 6, 2022

2022 OUTLOOK

While there have been NFL receivers who have had Williams’ speed, most of those players were very small and/or did not possess consistently reliable hands. Your author’s favorite attribute about Williams is those reliable hands. He boasts excellent length and strong, consistent hands, as he generally avoids the “body-catch.” These characteristics are both rare for a player with his speed. Williams possesses all of the traits to become an alpha receiver in the future. 

However, it is important to note, that we are talking about the future. This upcoming season, Williams should not be expected to play in the opening week of the season and may miss up to six or eight games before he is fully recovered from the ACL tear he suffered in the National Championship Game. Additionally, fantasy managers must understand that he was selected by a struggling team, the Detroit Lions. 

Dynasty owners that draft Jameson Williams should expect modest production in 2022. Lions’ QB Jared Goff has struggled to consistently complete the deep ball throughout his career. Also, Williams will be a rookie trying to transition to the NFL game–doing so with a late start due to injury. He is probably not a viable option for your starting lineup in 2022.  

DYNASTY ANALYSIS

Throughout your author’s dynasty rookie drafts thus far, Williams has been getting selected at the 1.06 or 1.07 spot pretty consistently. This is an encouraging sign, as it shows the general population of dynasty owners are improving and are willing to be patient to wait for elite talent to produce. If Williams falls past the 1.08 slot then your author is looking to trade for the pick to select him. 

What is exciting about Williams’ situation is the Lions’ commitment to a slow rebuild done correctly. We can anticipate a new QB from the 2023 draft class that should have a stronger arm and a more accurate deep ball for him to grow and develop with. Still, it is important to be cognizant of the fact that Williams is the type of field stretcher that NFL teams love to have to open up their passing offenses. His elite speed enhances his real-life NFL value more than his fantasy value. There will be times when he and his QB cannot connect. However, he also can take a short screen the distance on any given play. 

Jameson Williams' longest receptions per game: 94, 18, 29, 81, 26, 32, 75, 65, 58, 50, 79, 34, 67, 20, 40. You read that right. That’s 8 games with a reception over 50 yards; 6 games with a reception over 70 yards. And those are the ones he caught.https://t.co/OA7hgWbfA2

— Ollie Connolly (@OllieConnolly) April 29, 2022

Williams’ stat lines may contain fewer receptions, but he has the opportunity for the home-run big-play each week. His collegiate average yards per reception number of 19.6 validates that. If Detroit lands a top-tier QB in the future, then his value could soar. In 2023 and beyond, Williams should be viewed as a top-30 WR with top-15 upside if the Lions land the right QB of the future. 

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