Jameson Williams went from Alabama football to the Lions
One year ago, Jameson Williams left Ohio State to join the Alabama football team. He was looking for a fresh start and a chance to contribute for the Crimson Tide. After one elite season in Tuscaloosa, Williams was drafted by the Detriot Lions.
Williams was seen as one of the best receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft because of his elite speed and ability to make a play after the catch. He excelled with Alabama football, but his traits should translate to almost any NFL scheme. He can win with underneath routes and turn them into big gains, or he can stretch the defense by running deep routes.
Williams had a great chance of being the first receiver drafted at the end of the regular season, but an ACL tear held him out of most pre-draft testing. He was unable to run at the NFL Combine while other prospects were able to shine. Some believed he could fall completely out of the first round, but his stock rose again to put him firmly in the WR1 conversation.
NFL teams have prioritized speed for the past few seasons. We saw Alabama football’s Henry Ruggs become WR1 in his draft, and Jaylen Waddle was drafted before DeVonta Smith, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. That alone turned Williams into a valuable player, but his leadership and ability to win in a variety of ways cannot be understated.
The Lions traded up to take Jameson Williams. They have many needs, but adding a receiver makes sense as they look for cornerstone players for the next decade. Williams was the fourth receiver drafted, and the gap between him and WR5 was large.
The Lions could still look to add a quarterback next year. Perhaps Bryce Young pairs with his former Alabama football connection in 2023.
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