Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell is already hyping up one notable player as a “man on a mission” since the start of OTAs.
Campbell singled out wide receiver Jameson Williams as someone who has shown huge improvement throughout the offseason. The former No. 12 overall pick has had a middling first two seasons in the NFL, but Campbell seems to believe that the wide receiver is ready for a breakout.
“We’re two practices in (to OTAs) and if you said, ‘Give me one player that is the most improved from that start to finish in that time,’ and Jamo would be that guy right now,” Campbell told reporters, via Erik Schlitt of Pride of Detroit. “He is a man on a mission, and I’m just going to leave it at that.”
When asked where Williams was showing the most improvement, Campbell simply said, “everywhere.”
Williams was drafted while he was coming off a torn ACL, which meant his rookie season did not offer much opportunity. Fans had high hopes for Year 2, but a gambling suspension severely impacted that campaign. Williams wound up playing in 12 games and caught a modest 24 passes for 354 yards and two touchdowns, but he flashed some of the potential that made him such a highly coveted talent.
The Lions did not really add to their wide receiver room this offseason. Perhaps they are counting on Williams to show major progress in Year 3, and it sounds like they might be rewarded for their patience.