Jameson Williams
23-Year-Old
2023 Receiving Stats
REC
24
YDS
354
TD
2
AVG
14.8
TAR
42
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Wide receivers these days almost always break out within their first two seasons or not at all, but Nico Collins proved in 2023 that the third-year breakout isn't totally dead. Williams also has better excuses than most, having suffered an ACL tear at the very end of his college career and then missing the first six games of 2023 for a gambling suspension (ok, maybe that second part isn't such a good excuse...). The other good news? He's still only 23, his elite speed is evident to the naked eye, he'll be playing in a top offense, and the Lions don't have anyone else suited to the WR2 role. Of course, they don't necessarily need the WR2 to be a volume guy given their numerous other weapons, nor have they shown any signs of being the type of team that would force a player targets just because he was a 12th overall pick. Williams will need to earn everything he gets, just as he did as a 20-year-old at Alabama in 2021 (79-1,572-15) following two seasons of obscurity at Ohio State behind Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, there is an outcome where Williams takes a big step forward in 2024 from a real-life standpoint but still doesn't see enough targets to be a reliable fantasy starter, as he'll still be in an offense that wants to feed WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, TE Sam LaPorta and RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. While a truly elite player could force his way into that picture, Williams appears more on track to land somewhere between 'star' and 'bust'. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Making improvements
Coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that Williams is "a man on a mission" and has made notable improvements this offseason, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Williams hasn't yet lived up to his 12th overall draft capital from back in 2022, but he's also faced unique hurdles to begin his NFL career. His big-play ability is undeniable, as is the opportunity for a third playmaker to emerge in Detroit's passing game behind standouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta, though plenty of targets should be distributed to running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Potential for a year-three breakout is still there, but it depends on Williams truly logging an impressive offseason and earning consistent targets in a crowded offense.
Williams hasn't yet lived up to his 12th overall draft capital from back in 2022, but he's also faced unique hurdles to begin his NFL career. His big-play ability is undeniable, as is the opportunity for a third playmaker to emerge in Detroit's passing game behind standouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta, though plenty of targets should be distributed to running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Potential for a year-three breakout is still there, but it depends on Williams truly logging an impressive offseason and earning consistent targets in a crowded offense.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Jameson Williams' 2023 advanced stats compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Air Yards Per Game
55.0Air Yards Per Snap
1.53% Team Air Yards
16.7%% Team Targets
7.3%Avg Depth of Target
15.7 YdsCatch Rate
57.1%Drop Rate
7.1%Avg Yds After Catch
4.6% Targeted On Route
18.7%Avg Yds Per Route Run
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2023
2022
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Jameson Williams lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2023 Jameson Williams Split Stats
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Locked in during OTAs
Among his observations of Detroit's OTAs, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic relays that Williams has displayed a renewed focus and maturity during drills.
ANALYSIS
With Josh Reynolds departing in free agency, Williams is the Lions' clear second wide receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. Pouncy notes that Williams wasn't celebrating after big catches during drills Thursday, and the third-year pro spent time between reps with St. Brown. After being sidelined for most of his rookie year while recovering from a torn ACL and missing the first four games of 2023 due to a gambling-related suspension, Williams finished last season with 24 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns across 12 regular-season games.
With Josh Reynolds departing in free agency, Williams is the Lions' clear second wide receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. Pouncy notes that Williams wasn't celebrating after big catches during drills Thursday, and the third-year pro spent time between reps with St. Brown. After being sidelined for most of his rookie year while recovering from a torn ACL and missing the first four games of 2023 due to a gambling-related suspension, Williams finished last season with 24 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns across 12 regular-season games.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
Returning from an ACL tear at the end of his Alabama career, Williams was held out for the first 11 games of 2022, taking only 78 offensive snaps in six appearances. His one catch on nine targets went for a 41-yard touchdown, at least, and he had another distance TD wiped out by a penalty. There's not much to work with from his rookie season, so it's probably best to view Williams as a rookie again this year. However, the 22-year-old's 2023 season debut will be delayed after he was suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the league's gambling policy. Once Williams -- who went 12th overall last year, right behind Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson -- is eligible to play again, he could potentially see a high volume of perimeter snaps in Detroit's offense following the offseason departure of DJ Chark. In terms of pure speed, Williams is in the same league as former college teammate Jaylen Waddle, though with a slightly narrower build (6-1, 180) and only one season of big-time college production (79-1,572-15 in 2021).
More Fantasy News
Gets subtle vote of confidence
Williams is part of a WR room that didn't add any new bodies during the 2024 NFL Draft.
ANALYSIS
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Pushing to be 'full-time starter'
Head coach Dan Campbell indicated that Williams is set for an increased role in 2024, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports. "[Williams] is going to push to be a full-time starter, and that's what we're looking for. Everybody grows at a different rate. Maybe it's taken him a little bit longer, but he is developing and growing. The kid has come on. We got high hopes for him and see him continuing to grow," Campbell said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
ANALYSIS
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Totals 383 total yards in 2023
Williams caught 24 passes (on 42 targets) for 354 yards and two touchdowns while rushing three times for 29 yards and one touchdown over 12 regular-season games in 2023.
ANALYSIS
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Logs full practice Wednesday
Williams (ankle) practiced fully Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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Practicing to start week
Williams (ankle/illness) is practicing Wednesday, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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