The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner writes that Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams looks like a completely different player from a year ago early in training camp. Williams looks stronger through the middle and more explosive with better body control in the air and near the sidelines. Head coach Dan Campbell already said earlier this offseason that the 23-year-old former first-rounder looks like "a man on a mission" in 2024. The former 12th overall pick was recovering from a torn ACL heading into his rookie season and missed time due to a suspension in 2023, so he's been a first-round bust to this point. Williams' big-play ability is undeniable, though, and he has a chance to solidify the WR2 role in Detroit this year behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, which would make him an interesting WR4/flex play in standard-scoring fantasy formats.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that wide receiver Jameson Williams is a "man on a mission" during offseason workouts this year. The head coach said Williams is the most improved player since the start of the spring. It's high praise for the 23-year-old former 12th overall pick in 2022 out of Ohio State. Williams was recovering from a torn ACL in his rookie campaign and played in just six games. He was suspended in 2023 and finished with 24 receptions, 354 yards and two touchdowns in 12 regular-season games (10 starts) in Year 2. Williams has lots of big-play ability and should have a bigger role in Detroit's offense in his third year in 2024, but there are a lot of mouths to feed and he should still be a distant No. 3 behind receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and stud tight end Sam LaPorta. He's worth a flier late in fantasy drafts as a potential breakout candidate.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that wide receiver Jameson Williams is going to push to be a full-time starter in 2024. "By the end of the year, we really felt like he was coming into his own," Campbell said of Williams. The 22-year-old former first-round pick was suspended for the first month of his sophomore season in 2023 due to gambling and ended up finishing the regular season with 24 catches on 42 targets for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games (10 starts). He added a TD on three rushing attempts. Williams steadily saw more time on the field as the season progressed, but he wasn't much of a factor as a deep threat with quarterback Jared Goff preferring underneath routes. As long as Goff is Detroit's starting QB, Williams will likely be a boom/bust fantasy receiver.
Jameson Williams Posts Career Day On Just Three Touches In Loss
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams rushed once for 42 yards and a touchdown and caught two of his three targets for 15 yards and another touchdown in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers. The second-year speedster ripped off an explosive run on a wide receiver end-around to open the scoring in the first quarter, but Detroit ultimately blew a 17-point lead to be eliminated from the playoffs. While Williams has special speed, there's a chance the Lions will look to upgrade the WR2 spot behind Amon-Ra St. Brown this offseason. Williams has seen three or fewer targets in 15 of his 18 career regular season games. He might remain the best ball option in the late rounds of drafts but added target competition could mean the end of his fantasy-relevance.
Jameson Williams Could Have Enhanced Role Against 49ers
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams hasn't been much of a factor in the team's playoff wins against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams. The 2022 first-round pick caught just four passes on six targets for 54 yards. However, Sam LaPorta (knee), Josh Reynolds (ribs), and Kalif Raymond (knee) are all on this week's injury report, so their statutes could affect Williams' fantasy and DFS outlook. Additionally, the Lions are 7.5-point underdogs on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, meaning the overall passing volume could be up. LaPorta and Reynolds are likely to play, but if Raymond does not suit up, Williams can be utilized as a dart throw DFS option at his $3,700 price tag on DraftKings.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams came back from an ankle injury to face the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card Round last week, but he caught just two passes for 19 yards. The speedster has seen three or fewer targets in ten of his 13 games this year, meaning he's clearly not a trustworthy fantasy or DFS option. However, he is just $3,600 for DraftKings full-slate contests, so DFS gamers paying up for expensive players elsewhere can consider him a boom-or-bust dart throw against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that surrendered the 10th-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers during the regular season. Just don't be surprised if he's in for another quiet day.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) practiced in full all week and was removed from the final injury report on Friday for wild-card weekend. The second-year pass-catcher will be active on Sunday night to face the visiting Los Angeles Rams, and he's expected to serve as the No. 3 receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds with Kalif Raymond (knee) having been ruled out. There's a chance rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) won't play, either, so Williams could end up being a deep DFS sleeper that ends up paying off if he can make a big play or two down the field. In addition to more opportunities in the passing game for Detroit this weekend, the Rams defense was a top-10 matchup for opposing receivers during the regular season.
Jameson Williams Gets Through Another Full Practice
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) was able to get through a full practice session on Thursday. This marks now back-to-back days that Williams has been able to get through practice as a full participant. The 22-year-old sat out in Week 18, but it appears that he'll be ready for this Wild-Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams this weekend. Williams has put together a quiet season, but could be asked to do more if Sam LaPorta (knee) and Kalif Raymond (knee) are unable to suit up. Fantasy managers will have to check back on Friday for another update.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle, illness) was back at practice on Wednesday after missing all of last week with an ankle injury and an illness. The Lions held him out of the Week 18 regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday, but he's expected to play this Sunday night in the wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams to help give the Lions some extra firepower on offense. The 22-year-old second-year wideout did very little to move the fantasy needle during the regular season, catching only 24 passes for 354 yards and two touchdowns on 42 targets. However, Williams could have a bigger role on offense for Detroit on wild-card weekend if both tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) and receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) are not able to suit up. UPDATE: Williams practiced in full Wednesday.
Jameson Williams, Brock Wright Expected To Play Against Rams
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) and tight end Brock Wright (hip) will return to practice this week and are expected to play against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card game on Sunday Night Football. Williams missed the Week 18 game against the Minnesota Vikings with an ankle injury and illness, while Wright was absent due to a hip ailment. With Sam LaPorta (knee) and Kalif Raymond (knee) getting banged up on Sunday, the return of Williams and Wright could be a significant development. Williams has boom-or-bust appeal in playoff leagues and DFS, but Wright has limited upside even if he's elevated to the No. 1 tight end role.
