Concern fantasy football managers had with Jameson Williams remains in 2025

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams had a breakout 2024 season for fantasy football managers who invested, finishing as the WR19 in 0.5-point PPR scoring as he topped 1,000 yards for the first time in his career along with seven touchdowns. As expected with a relatively low catch total (58), he finished higher than that in standard scoring (WR10) and lower in full PPR (WR23; through Week 17 in all cases).

Despite missing two games due to performance-enhancing substance suspension, Williams also finished second on the Lions in targets last season with 91. So the viable concern about his ability to get targets in a loaded offense were pretty much set aside, since he likely would've topped 100 targets if not for missing those two games.

It's easy to see a path to more for Williams in 2025, and in fantasy terms a WR1 (top-12) finish. But a closer look at his game log from last season reveals potential concerns. Dave Ventresca of RotoBaller dove into them as he put Williams on an early list of overvalued wide receivers to avoid in 2025.

Concern for fantasy managers about Jameson Williams remains in 2025

Here's what Ventresca wrote.

"Williams enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 and posted career highs across the board. He finished the season with a 58-1,001-7 line on 91 targets and finished the season as the PPR WR19."

"John Morton takes over as Detroit's new offensive coordinator following Ben Johnson's departure to the Chicago Bears. Williams will still be involved in Detroit's offense, but his role could change with a new play-caller. For all the good things Williams did in 2024, he was only targeted 91 times and was extremely efficient, as he averaged over 17 yards per reception. Any role change could negatively impact his fantasy value."

"While there is undoubtedly upside in drafting Williams, he is overvalued at his current price. Pass at this cost and target other receiving options later in your draft."

Related: 3 Lions players who could thrive with John Morton calling plays

As previously noted, Williams was actually the WR19 in 0.5-point PPR last season (not full PPR). But the overall point stands. Williams had 20 targets in Week 1 and Week 2, and another 23 targets from Week 16-18. That's nearly half his targets for the season, in one-third of his games. Some of his efficiency numbers, as noted by Nic Bodiford of Pro Football Focus, feel unsustainable.

"Williams thrives in his featured, centerfield role ranking No. 1 overall in both yards per reception (30.9) and yards after the catch per reception (13.9) among 65 NFL wide receivers with at least 12 targets thrown 10-plus yards downfield and between the painted numbers in Weeks 1-17. His qualifying 22 targets and 14 receptions rank and/or tie for 16th."

"Among 65 NFL wide receivers with at least 410 receiving snaps, Williams rank(ed) 21st in YPRR (1.97), second in yards per reception (17.3) and No. 1 overall in yards after the catch per reception (8.3)."

Williams' four 50-plus yard touchdowns last season, at times with a huge chunk coming after the catch, skews the applicable numbers above in notable fashion.