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After the 14-3 preseason loss to the New York Giants, a reporter asked Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell to name one or two players who stood out to him while watching from the sidelines. Campbell didn’t hesitate in mentioning rookie wide receiver Isaiah Williams.
“Williams showed up. He made some plays out there, and that was clear,” Campbell told reporters in his postgame press conference. “That was clear to see. He did some really good things that showed up.”
Campbell’s praise of Williams was notable for a couple reasons. First, any level of praise an undrafted rookie receives after a preseason debut is significant.
But while Campbell also listed off other Lions players he thought did well against the Giants, at least before reviewing the game film, he paused several times while thinking of other players.
There was no pause before Campbell named Williams.
The 23-year-old caught all 4 of his targets to lead the Lions in receptions on August 8. He also led the team with 35 receiving yards.
Undrafted Rookie WR Isaiah Williams Impresses During Preseason Debut
In addition to leading the team in receiving, Williams recorded 56 return yards on 2 kickoff returns. It was the first time the Lions played under the new kickoff rules in a live game, and Williams took advantage with a pair of 28-yard returns.
Detroit could use more receiving depth, but special teams is likely where Williams needs to shine if he’s going to earn a role on the Lions roster. Fellow receiver Kalif Raymond, who didn’t play on August 8, is entrenched as Detroit’s punt returner. But the kickoff return team appears much more fluid, especially under the new rules.
Williams was one of the top undrafted free agent signings for the Lions this year. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on April 27 that the Lions signed Williams to a $225,000 base salary guaranteed. His deal also included a $15,000 signing bonus.
That contract turned heads among Lions pundits.
“That was basically the same money as being a seventh-round pick in the NFL Draft,” USA Today’s Lions Wire’s Russell Brown wrote. “So for Williams to get the amount he got is a bit telling.”
The Lions signed Williams and Jalon Calhoun as undrafted free agents after not selecting a wideout during the 2024 NFL draft.
In five seasons at Illinois, Williams posted 214 catches for 2,304 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. He had 82 receptions, 1,055 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in 12 games last season.
Williams also had 82 catches and 5 touchdowns during 2022.
Dan Campbell Lists Several Other Lions Who Shined in Week 1 of Preseason
Campbell didn’t praise any other players with as much enthusiasm as he did Williams. But he mentioned several defenders as guys who stood out from the sidelines.
The defenders Campbell named were defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo, linebacker Malik Jefferson, cornerback Ennis Rakestraw and safety C.J. Moore. Like Williams, Wingo and Rakestraw are part of the Lions rookie class.
On special teams, Campbell sounded impressed with punter Jack Fox and kicker Jake Bates. The second-year kicker accounted for Detroit’s only points when he made a 53-yard attempt in the first quarter.
Campbell talked about other offensive players other than Williams in his postgame press conference. But he was the only offensive player Campbell mentioned during his answer when he listed players who stood out on August 8.
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