The Detroit Lions predict huge issues from Jameson Williams this yr. The third-year receiver is basically the unchallenged WR2 behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and is presently poised for his first full skilled season.
However he’s additionally a really troublesome participant to challenge in 2024. Whereas he’ll undoubtedly see much more alternatives than he has ever in his skilled profession, his effectivity on the sphere has fluctuated wildly. Ask anyone what they anticipate of Williams’ third NFL season, and also you’ll get solutions someplace between a bust and an All-Professional season.
NFL analyst Matt Harmon joined James Koh on their “Reception Notion” podcast to talk solely about Williams and his projections for the 2024 season. Harmon, who additionally wrote a whole profile on Williams right here, admitted that he is likely one of the most troublesome gamers to challenge this yr.
“I don’t actually have a really sturdy feeling on how this one goes to play out,” Harmon stated. “I don’t have a robust tackle this one, which is, once more, ironic, as a result of individuals appear to have very, very sturdy emotions and opinions on what Jameson Williams will or won’t be.”
Traditionally, there aren’t a whole lot of fashionable huge receivers who’ve proven as little manufacturing as Williams has in his first two years (25 catches, 395 yards, 3 TDs) and turned out to be an incredible receiver. However Harmon accurately pushes apart historic priority, as Williams is definitely a singular case along with his ACL damage and playing suspension.
“One factor I do suppose I really imagine fairly strongly is that the standard evaluation for gamers—which is ‘guys haven’t produced to this x commonplace by two years or no matter—we will write these guys off.’ I don’t suppose that’s honest on this scenario,” Harmon stated.
Then Harmon talked about Williams’ manufacturing final yr. He notes one thing that I discover very fascinating: a transparent distinction between Williams’ total productiveness for the 2023 season vs. his productiveness within the final 5 video games (together with the playoffs).
“If you happen to simply use these Week 15 video games (and) on, Williams checks in with a 67.3 p.c success charge vs. man, 84.9 p.c success charge vs. zone, and 64.7 p.c towards press,” Harmon explains. “These are nonetheless mixed-bag outcomes, however they’re much more encouraging than what we noticed within the full-season pattern.
For context, a “good” receiver, per Reception Notion has a few 70 p.c success charge vs. man and 80 p.c vs. zone. Williams was proper there in each classes for the ultimate stretch of the season. However for the complete season, he was solely profitable 57 p.c towards man and 72 p.c vs. zone.
So what does this imply for Williams in 2024? It’s a reasonably small pattern measurement to attract definitive conclusions, however with Dan Campbell feeling very optimistic about Williams’ progress, the expansion he confirmed final yr, and the chance he has this yr, there’s definitely an opportunity for a particular season for the previous first-round decide.
“I feel if you wish to squint and see a best-case situation, possibly he’s early-career Brandin Cooks,” Harmon stated earlier than predicting someplace close to a 100-target season for Williams.
Watch the complete dialog right here or hearken to an excellent longer episode of the present right here.
Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw have been apparently mic’d up on the Tigers recreation final week, and the outcomes are gold:
Jamaal Williams bought to decide on the programming for NFL Community on Tuesday. So when you’re in search of plans on what to do Tuesday evening, the 2022 season finale between the Lions and Packers will probably be airing once more.
One other rating of the Lions’ roster in comparison with the remainder of the NFL. What are your ideas? (Listed here are ours):
Prime 10 (actually, 11) performs from the Lions’ 2023 season? Oh yeah, you’re watching this:
