Jameson Williams Will Shine Like Ja’Marr Chase
The Detroit Lions believe they’ve struck gold with wide receiver Jameson Williams.
Detroit general manager Brad Holmes became enamored with Williams in the pre-draft process, so much so that he traded up to get the talented Alabama wideout at No. 12 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Williams’ production was limited as a rookie. He missed the season’s first 10 games, while he rehabbed a torn ACL suffered in college and had just one catch in his seven appearances. That catch was impactful, though, as it was a 41-yard touchdown against Minnesota.
Though he provided just a glimpse of his future, hopes are still high for Williams heading into 2023.
Here are three players that Williams’ skill set is comparable to.
DeSean Jackson
The prime version of Desean Jackson is a succinct comparison for Williams, although Williams is roughly four inches taller than the veteran wideout.
In his first stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, spanning from 2008-13, Jackson was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. He went over 900 receiving yards in five of those six seasons, with an injury-hampered 2012 campaign being the exception.
Additionally, the speedster brought intrigue with each of his punt returns, as he was always capable of taking a boot the distance.
Though the Lions may not use Williams in the punt return game, they’ve already got a capable returner in Kalif Raymond, and they want him to have a similar impact on offense. Fans caught a preview of that with Williams’ 40-yard run on an end-around against Chicago in Week 17.
Though Jackson’s production has tailed off in recent years, he was among the best at his position during his best days. He already has five 1,000-plus-yard receiving seasons, and he won a Super Bowl with the Rams last season.
If the Lions can get similar production to what Jackson was able to offer in his prime, they will be more than happy.
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Ja’Marr Chase
Chase has been electric since entering the league in 2021. He wasted no time becoming one of the league’s best receivers, notching 1,455 yards in his Rookie of the Year campaign.
While Williams couldn’t have the same impact due to his injury, the Lions hope he can provide a similar ability as a downfield threat.
The one edge Chase has on Williams is his size. Chase is currently listed at 200 pounds, 20 pounds heavier than Williams. As a result of his size, the LSU product has a superior physicality that allows him to win in contested situations.
Time will tell if Williams is able to have the same effect that Chase has had in two seasons with the Bengals, but his usage will likely be the same. As Detroit’s downfield threat, Williams will have an opportunity to make a sizable impact in year two.
Jaylen Waddle
From a size and speed perspective, Williams and Waddle are very comparable. The two are both lanky, speedy wideouts who were burners in college at Alabama.
These two players are very similar in the way they play, with the potential to break free and burn defenders each time they catch the ball. However, there are also lapses in concentration that lead to drops.
Waddle tied for the league lead in drops with nine, per Pro Football Focus. Williams, meanwhile, on just eight targets, finished with two drops.
Despite the mishaps, Waddle has posted over 1,000 yards in both his professional seasons. The Lions hope to see Williams have a similar impact on Ben Johnson's offense next year.
The Alabama products each have game-breaking potential, but struggle at the point of catch at times. There’s no denying the impact that either have on the offense when in the game, though.
