Pride of Detroit
Already one of the most explosive, big-play receivers in the NFL, Williams has another gear that has coaches and teammates excited for him to harness.
As the temperature reaches a fever pitch, so too does the anticipation for the Detroit Lions to return to their facilities at Allen Park for training camp.
Our roster preview series continues with a look at wide receiver Jameson Williams, a former first-round pick whose first few seasons were defined as much by promise as they were by polarizing, off-the-field issues. But as he enters Year 4, Williams has flipped the narrative and the trajectory of his career—earning praise from both coaches and teammates as a key cog in Detroit’s offensive machine.
Previous previews: Sam LaPorta, Aidan Hutchinson, Jake Bates
Entering his third season in the NFL, it was finally time for Williams to leave the past behind him. There was no ACL injury or nagging hamstring issue to keep him off the field. There was no gambling suspension to delay his contributions to the offense. For the first time in his professional career, Williams was free of any distractions that would prevent him from realizing his potential.
Even the coaching staff could sense that a breakout season was on tap for the young receiver.
“And we’re two practices in (to OTAs) and if you said, ‘Give me one player that is the most improved from that start to finish in that time,’ Jamo would be that guy right now,” Dan Campbell said in the midst of 2024’s organized team activities. “He is a man on a mission, and I’m just going to leave it at that.”
Josh Reynolds had left to sign with the Denver Broncos, opening up both targets and opportunities in Detroit. Amon-Ra St. Brown was expecting big things out of Jamo at the start of training camp, going so far as to say he “knew” a big year was in store for him. The runway was clear for Williams to takeoff in 2024, and he had a lot of vocal support from coaches and players alike.
Note: Stats are regular season only unless otherwise stated
15 games (11 starts)
Stats: 58 catches on 91 targets for 1,001 yards and 7 touchdowns; 11 carries for 61 yards and one touchdown.
PFF offensive grade: 75.7 (31st out of 110 qualifying WRs—minimum 34 targets)
PFF receiving grade: 76.5 (31st out of 110)
PFF drop grade: 76.6 (38th out of 110)
PFF run blocking grade: 62.2 (t-25th out of 142 qualifying WRs—minimum 87 blocking snaps)
It didn’t take long for Jamo to deliver on the offseason hype. In Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, Williams went off for (at the time) a career-high five receptions and 121 receiving yards, including a 52-yard touchdown to start the second half. Through the first five games of the season, he eclipsed his season-high for receiving yards (365) and receiving touchdowns (3), establishing himself as...
