Jameson Williams has Stash Appeal in Fantasy Leagues

The Detroit Lions traded up to 12th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft to select a wide receiver, Jameson Williams, from the University of Alabama. Along with Amon-Ra St. Brown, D.J. Chark, and T.J. Hockenson, Detroit has enough weapons for Jared Goff to attack defenses in the passing games. Williams is recently removed from an ACL tear; however, videos have surfaced and shown signs of being ahead of his rehab process and he can potentially make an impact in Year 1.

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Jameson Williams the Prospect

Williams is a bit on the thinner side of wide receivers, standing in at 6-foot-1, 179 lbs, but the way he wins is off his ability to shift in and out of his breaks without losing speed and having it seem effortless. In his one season at Alabama, he posted 79 receptions, 1,572 yards, and 15 touchdowns, operating as the team's main target. Williams did not test at the combine but based on his physical measurables, the two physical comps that stand out are Will Fuller and DeSean Jackson.

According to PFF, Williams had 60% of his targets over 10 yards down the field. He ranked fourth in the country in yards on throws between 10-19 yards and fifth on throws 20+ yards down the field. He provides value in his ability to win down the field, and it also shows in his success rates on Matt Harmon's Reception Perception.

New Lions WR Jameson Williams in #ReceptionPerception:



- Easily the best downfield WR in the draft

- Strong success rates vs. man (71.1%) and zone coverage (82.5%)

- Needs to improve a bit against press



Full profile:https://t.co/LCZ49hYHNJ pic.twitter.com/JfY4oupa8B

— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) April 29, 2022

How Williams Fits in the Lions’ Passing Game

According to PFF, from 2017 to 2019, Jared Goff ranked 8th, 1st, and 2nd in yards on throws between 10-19 yards down the field. This past year, he was 20th, and that was due to the available weapons. Detroit's wide receiver room is revamped, and that number could return to the top 10 for Goff in 2022.

The Lions will be under a new play-caller as they let go of Anthony Lynn, and I expect the route concepts to change dramatically with these new additions. An increase will be coming on deep crossers and posts as they only accounted for 8% of the routes they had last season. In Goff's two seasons throwing for over 4,600 yards, he was top 10 in yards for both routes.

Last year, only Amon-Ra St. Brown played over 70% of the snaps in the wide receiver room, and this season, once Williams is fully recovered, it should be dominated by their top three. A massive target share will be hard to acquire in Year 1, however, Williams will not need to have a high target share to provide value for fantasy. His style resembles a Brandin Cooks, Will Fuller, or DeSean Jackson type wide receiver, and their fantasy capital comes from generating the big play. Last year, if you take out the 57 passing attempt mark from Week 1, Goff averaged 33.6 attempts per game, and I expect Williams to be able to see around six targets a game giving him an 18% target share.

Overall, Williams will be someone I expect to begin the year on the PUP and be someone to hold that last bench spot on the roster because once he is at full strength, he will provide value for all formats. Williams will provide a different dimension to this Lions' offense and will not need a ton of targets to contribute to your fantasy weeks. He is a long-term asset in Dynasty leagues and a deep league bench spot for redraft.

Williams’ 2022 Fantasy Outlook

• The ACL injury is going to be a situation to monitor, but Jameson Williams will still be a deep bench player to have for redraft.
• Do not let Goff's recent numbers dictate the way you feel about this Detroit offense, because they have tremendously upgraded their weapons, and have an offensive line that can let them thrive.
• Going into Draft weekend, Williams was going as low as WR52 in Underdog best ball leagues. I don't see his ADP rising with Detroit being a landing spot, and with him returning from an ACL injury. I wouldn't be taking him any higher in best ball leagues, because he can very easily begin the year on the PUP.