Jameson Williams took a big step this year, but does he have another level in him in next season?
Other than a couple hiccups, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams took big steps in his third season on and off the field. He became a more mature man and a more complete pass catcher, and the results showed it.
From a fantasy football perspective, Williams did have some of the inconsistency that was easy to expect going into the 2024 season. But he still finished as a low-end WR1 (WR10 in standard scoring, Week 1-17) or a WR2 (WR23 in full PPR) regardless of scoring format. If not for two missed games and a couple particularly down weeks, as in outside the top-100 fantasy wide receivers for the week, he would have been better. He definitely delivered to the upside portion of a WR4 average draft position (ADP).
Williams may have another level in him next season. From a fantasy angle, it will be interesting to see where his ADP comes in this summer.
Jameson Williams placed in unique tier of fantasy wide receivers for 2025
Nic Bodiford of Pro Football Focus recently dove into an attempt to identify some potential WR1s for fantasy in 2025. Of course the prerequisite to be on the list was having not finished as a WR1 (top-12, PPR scoring; Week 1-17) this past year. The top two on the list (Puka Nacua and Nico Collins) are low-hanging fruit, since the both missed a a big chunk of time due to injury this season.
Joining Zay Flowers and Xavier Worthy on the remainder of the list is Williams.
Of course, Bodiford noted Williams' proficiency on downfield throws and after the catch this year.
"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 ranks 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)."
Bodiford mentioned how Williams will likely never usurp Amon-Ra St. Brown as the Lions' target leader. But it was notable that Williams' target share spiked in a couple games late this season (23.5 percent in Week 17; 24.2 percent in Week 18) and, per Bodiford, "among Detroit pass catchers in Weeks 16-Wild Card Weekend, his 13 first-read targets notably rank third."
Williams' involvement in the Lions' offense as a runner is notable (11carries for 61 yards and a touchdown this season), which provides a cheat code for fantasy if it continues with new offensive coordinator John Morton calling the plays. He also had 91 targets in 15 games this season, so 100-plus targets is in the cards next season.
Take away two missed games due to a suspension and those aforementioned weeks that were particularly awful, and Williams might have finished as a WR1 in fantasy this year. So the path to it next season, while spotlighted by Bodiford, is not too hard to see.
