Second-year receiver Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions can obviously take the top off an NFL defense. All 3 of the receiving touchdowns he’s scored in his career have been more than 30 yards.
Throughout his second season, Williams has also showcased a team-first mindset with a willingness to block. In Week 10, Williams had a key block down field on a 75-yard touchdown run.
But the past two weeks, Williams has arguably been an even more well-rounded receiver. Although he hasn’t posted any long receptions, he’s shown more efficiency and moved the chains with timely receptions.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff made it clear to the media on December 26 that he has confidence that Williams will be successful in whatever the team asks of the young receiver.
“He’s worked himself into that role. Trust him on really everything he’s doing now,” Goff told reporters. “He’s done a hell of a job, man, getting himself there. Again, it’s just reps, just time. He’s still a young player and still learning and growing. But he just keeps doing this [pointing arm toward ceiling] every week.
“It’s exciting for me. It’s exciting for our offense.”
In Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings, Williams caught a career-high 5 passes on 6 targets. He also posted 43 receiving yards.
It marked the first time in Williams’ career where he had at least 4 receptions and 40 receiving yards in back-to-back weeks.
Lions’ Jameson Williams Becoming a More Reliable Target
The big plays Williams has provided this season have obviously been great. He’s among Detroit’s top three pass catchers with a 13 yards per reception average this season.
But that’s in a small sample, and the second-year receiver hasn’t been particularly efficient with his opportunities. Williams is averaging just 2 receptions per game, which is sixth for the Lions.
He also has a 56.4% catch percentage. That’s eighth among Detroit pass catchers with more than 5 receptions.
But each of the past two weeks, Williams has been far more opportunistic, finishing second among Lions receivers in targets and receptions. He was second in catches and receiving yards for Detroit in Week 16. He was also third in targets.
Of Williams’ 22 receptions and 285 receiving yards this season, 9 of his catches and 90 of his yards have come in the past two weeks.
Williams Key to Deep Postseason Run for Lions?
The Lions are experiencing another great offensive season in 2023.
Detroit will enter Week 17 ranked third in rushing and fifth in passing. They are third in yards overall and fifth in points scored.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta have experienced tremendous rookie seasons. Each have scored 9 total touchdowns. Furthermore, top Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is 1 catch away from career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
Still, Williams is a player that could take Detroit’s offense to even another level if he continues to develop.
His ability as a deep threat is already opening things up underneath for the other Lions pass catchers. If Goff can connect with Williams on deep routes more often, then the Lions will have a even greater big-play presence to go with their methodic offense.
The key to doing that could be what the Lions have done the past two weeks. If opposing defenses are concerned about Williams being a playmaker after making a short catch, then cornerbacks covering the 22-year-old may play closer to the line of scrimmage.
That could open up more opportunities for deep throws.
In whatever capacity, though, Goff clearly expects Williams to be significantly involved the rest of the season.
Lions’ Jared Goff Fires Message on WR Jameson Williams: ‘It’s Exciting’