The Los Angeles Chargers are signing free-agent wide receiver Mike Williams to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million on Wednesday night, sources tell FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Williams spent the first seven years of his career in L.A. and will now reunite with quarterback Justin Herbert as a big, physical downfield threat. The 30-year-old veteran never developed into the consistent pass-catcher they hoped he'd be when they took him seventh overall in 2017 out of Clemson, although he did have a 10-touchdown season in 2018 and reached the 1,000-yard mark twice. In his first year away from the Chargers in 2024, he spent time with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers and failed to make an impact, catching a combined 21 passes on 34 targets for 298 yards and just one score in 18 games (five starts). Due to familiarity and opportunity, Big Mike should be able to bounce back as a starter with the Bolts, but consistency could be a real issue.
Mike Williams Remains Off Fantasy Radar In Week 17
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams played on over 35% of offensive snaps for the first time in black and gold last week and will look for continued utilization in a Week 17 meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City has been middle-of-the-road against opposing wideouts in 2024, surrendering the 16th-most fantasy points per contest to the position. Williams may see yet another uptick in his playing time on Wednesday, but it is difficult to project him for many opportunities with George Pickens (hamstring) pushing to make his return from a three-week absence. Williams was unable to make an impact for fantasy purposes with Pickens sidelined, so there is no reason to consider him in starting lineups this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams has both opportunity and a great matchup in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens, but starting him at this stage of the fantasy playoffs is not advised. Pittsburgh will again be without top receiver George Pickens (hamstring) and Baltimore has been unusually poor against the pass, ranking 31st against fantasy receivers. However, it's awfully difficult to start a receiver that played only 29% and 35% of the team's snaps without Pickens the past two weeks. Williams may see a slight uptick in production against Baltimore, but he's just not getting enough run in the Steelers' offense to gamble on this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams put up a dud in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Williams saw two targets and hauled in one catch for 15 yards. In a game where the Steelers were (+5.5) underdogs and expected to throw more playing from behind, they could only muster up 128 yards through the air. There was some optimism for a stronger performance from Williams because George Pickens (hamstring) was sidelined, but he couldn't deliver. The Steelers will try to re-group and prepare for a pivotal divisional matchup in Week 16 at the Baltimore Ravens. Williams is not a recommended start moving forward. He does not see the consistent targets and opportunities fantasy managers seek. Williams is a FLEX option at best in deep-league formats versus the Ravens in Week 16.
Mike Williams Should Be More Involved, Still Avoidable In Week 15
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams should once again be more involved in the offense in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday with George Pickens (hamstring) missing a second straight game. However, Williams still won't be recommended as a starting fantasy play in most formats in the first round of the playoffs this week in most leagues. The 30-year-old big-bodied deep threat played only 29% of the offensive snaps in last week's win over the Browns with Pickens out, but he did see his most targets (four) in his fifth game with the team and caught three passes for 36 yards. Pittsburgh could be facing limited passing volume for the second straight week on the road in a hostile environment against an Eagles defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest half-PPR points per game to receivers this year. Williams is no more than a desperation flex play that will most likely burn you.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams logged three receptions for 36 yards on four targets in a 27-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns. With George Pickens (hamstring) inactive, Williams stepped up for quarterback Russell Wilson, particularly down the field in contested catch situations. If Pickens were to miss extended time, Williams would likely become an intriguing fantasy asset, but it's difficult to project him for consistent opportunities otherwise. It is possible, however, that the veteran is more involved going forward. He is worth rostering in bestball and dynasty formats, but Williams will remain off the fantasy radar in most redraft leagues heading into a Week 15 meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mike Williams Expected To Be More Involved In Steelers Offense
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams has played in four games since being dealt from the New York Jets around the trade deadline, but he has caught just one pass for 32 yards and a touchdown. The 30-year-old has played 70 snaps for the Steelers, but he could see more opportunities with Calvin Austin III (concussion) in the concussion protocol. "It's a matter of time," head coach Mike Tomlin said on Williams getting more involved in the Pittsburgh offense. That said, it would be surprising if Williams became a consistent fantasy football contributor down the stretch, though he could have a spike week during the fantasy football playoffs. Fantasy managers in leagues of 12 teams or fewer can likely ignore Williams, but deep leaguers should monitor his usage in Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have brought new wide receiver Mike Williams along slowly after acquiring him at the trade deadline from the New York Jets, but they expect him to have a role for them at some point and are planning to get him more involved in the offense in the coming weeks. Williams entered the game due to an injury to Calvin Austin III to catch the game-winning touchdown pass in the Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders and was even more limited in the Week 11 win over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. ESPN's Dan Graziano doesn't expect Williams to do much on Thursday night against the division-rival Cleveland Browns, though, on a short week with potentially bad weather in Cleveland. The 30-year-old played 12% of the snaps in Week 10 and 32% last week, catching a combined one pass on one target for 32 yards and a touchdown.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams made the most of his limited snaps in Week 10 and will look to get more involved in a divisional showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. Williams, who caught his only target for a 32-yard touchdown in his Steelers debut, is likely to see more playing time now in his second week with the team and could get a few shots downfield from quarterback Russell Wilson. This is certainly a matchup that Williams and teammate George Pickens can exploit as the Ravens have surrendered the most fantasy points per game to wideouts this season. While fantasy managers shouldn't be starting Williams in most redraft formats on Sunday, he has some upside as a DFS play in what projects to be a high-scoring affair.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams came down with his only target, a 32-yard touchdown, in a thrilling Week 10 victory over the Washington Commanders. Williams, who was just dealt to the Steelers earlier this week, played just nine snaps in his debut but was trusted by quarterback Russell Wilson with the game on the line. Wilson threw a perfect deep ball to Williams in the end zone that gave Pittsburgh a 28-27 lead after an extra point with just over two minutes remaining. The 30-year-old wideout should see an uptick in snaps going forward and could be on the fantasy radar at some point this season. He'll be an interesting name on the waiver wire in deeper formats ahead of a Week 11 clash with the Baltimore Ravens.
Mike Williams
• WR
•
Chargers
