When Jameson Williams was drafted 12th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, expectations immediately were through the roof. That wide receiver class was top-heavy as Williams was the fourth one selected in the top 12 picks.
Everyone else has flashed their potential, it helps to have the reps of a top receiver, but that may finally be changing for Williams in 2024.
Dan Campbell was asked on Tuesday during his media session at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine about the progress the former first-round pick had been making. Campbell glowingly explained “Yeah, he progressed. When he was able to come back off, and we got him Week 4 of the season, after the, you know, he had the suspension, all we asked of him was growth. Just get better, just get a little bit better and become one of the guys, somebody we can rely on in this offense…”
That little bit that Williams got better with each week was in part due to Ben Johnson being so creative with how he used him. According to PFF, Williams was on the field for 579 snaps and he saw work in special teams, inside at the slot position and out wide.
Cambell went on to further explain his feelings by saying “we really felt like he started to come into his own. He is going to push to be a full-time starter now. That’s what we’re looking for. We’ve said it before; everybody grows at a different rate. Maybe it’s taken him a little bit longer, but he is developing and he is growing and he is certainly one of the team…”
Jameson Williams being a full-time starter changes this offense and it changes the Lions draft plans. Finding a wide receiver can now wait till day three of the draft. Williams working the outside, stretching the field, is what he has always been destined to be. His being in this role may be enough to elevate this offense to a championship level.