Jameson

Williams

Williams overcame disappointing 2022 and 2023 campaigns to finally put together a strong season in 2024. The former first-round pick caught 58 passes for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 17.3 YPR — the fourth-highest YPR amongst receivers with 50 or more targets. Williams will have a chance to duplicate that success next season and can then play out the 2026 season on his fifth-year option if the Lions prefer to see a bit more out of him before signing him to a long-term deal. Williams is an explosive playmaker who turned in six top-24 PPR performances last season. As long as he continues to share the field with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta, Williams will likely remain a boom-or-bust fantasy option.

Williams was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over in Detroit in October and found to have two firearms in the front seat, one of them registered to Williams. Williams did not have a concealed pistol license to carry the weapon at the time but later obtained the permit, according to Birkett. The Lions wideout was arrested and released without charges. Williams had been suspended twice by the league for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug and gambling policies. Williams will enter 2025 as one of the league’s most explosive pass catchers following his first 1,000-yard season as a pro.

In a fitting end to a year that saw Williams’ role expand in creative ways, he also got to throw a pass attempt in this game. Just like the rest of the night, it was a disaster, resulting in an interception. Williams was a rarely-used gadget receiver before 2024, but head coach Dan Campbell talked glowingly about his improvements heading into year three. As he often is, Campbell was right about Williams’ trajectory and the No. 12 overall pick posted a true breakout season with 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven scores. This was despite missing two games for a PED suspension. Williams also ran for 61 yards and a touchdown. Big plays were still his calling card — he had five grabs of 50+ yards — but Williams smoothed out his route tree and saw much more work on short and intermediate looks. Williams will continue to steal targets from Amon-Ra St. Brown in 2025, though there’s no path to him outright unseating St. Brown as the team’s top wideout.

Williams led the team with eight targets, the last of which came with under three minutes remaining with most of the regular starters on the sideline. The fact he was on the field late in a blowout win likely indicates head coach Dan Campbell knew he was close to the milestone, which he passed on a four-yard reception on the team’s final possession to get to 1,001 yards on the season. The win clinched the No. 1 seed for the Lions, who will await the happenings of Wildcard Weekend before knowing their opponent in the Divisional Round.

Williams got the Lions on the board with a three-yard touchdown carry in the first quarter before scoring on a hook-and-ladder trick play from a ball thrown to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who then pitched the football to Williams for a 41-yard receiving score in the second quarter. Williams tied with tight end Sam LaPorta for second on the team in targets behind the 10 of St. Brown, but led the team in receiving. Williams is sure to be busy in Week 18 when the Lions host the Vikings to decide the NFC champion.

Williams did most of his damage on an 82-yard heave from Jared Goff. He simply got behind the defense for a deep shot and was off to the races. Once up to speed, there’s almost no one in the NFL who can chase down Williams. That was evident as he strode into the end zone. Williams is a volatile fantasy bet, but when he hits, it flips fantasy matchups. He will remain in the WR3 ranks when he and the Lions take on the 49ers in Week 17.

Considering the Lions had to throw the ball 60 times, this is a relatively tame box score from Williams. He did just miss on a potential 61-yard touchdown pass where the ball was tipped away at the last moment, but there was offensive holding on the play anyway. Still, Goff was taking shots deep to Williams when he could but the Bills were clearly trying to play deep and prevent that from happening. The 23-year-old did haul in a touchdown on the final drive of the game as Jared Goff worked through his progressions and found Williams in the back of the end zone. He remains a boom-or-bust WR3 for next week against the Bears.

Williams’ eight targets were his most since Week 2, and continue the upward trajectory he’s been on since returning from suspension four weeks ago. He actually led the Lions in looks this evening, drawing two more pass attempts than Amon-Ra St. Brown. Williams has only one truly big play in five games since returning, but you can feel it coming. Bills/Lions could turn into a domed shootout next Sunday in Detroit.

The big plays weren’t there for Williams on Thursday, as his biggest gain came on the ground rather than through the air. Williams cut an end around upfield for a 15-yard gain and excited the crowd when he hurdled over a diving Kevin Byard to pick up some extra yards. Williams’ 28 receiving yards are his fewest since Week 7. He’ll be a high-upside WR3 in Week 13’s game against the Packers.

Williams was pulled over late at night with two firearms in a vehicle driven by his brother. The weapons did not belong to Williams. The Wayne County prosecutor’s office “concluded that the warrant was denied because the case law is silent regarding the specific issue and the legislative intent of the concealed pistol license (CPL) statute does not support charges under these facts,” Woodyard reported. Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement that Williams’ status as a Lions receiver did not factor into the decision. “We did not consider that Mr. Williams is a Detroit professional athlete in our decision making,” Worthy said. Williams will suit up on Thanksgiving Day against the Bears a week after going for 64 yards on five catches against the Colts.