Detroit Lions make blockbuster trade and select Jameson Williams
By Bob Heyrman
After securing superstar defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with the no. 2 overall pick, the Detroit Lions make a blockbuster deal to select Jameson Williams with the no. 12 overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Detroit Lions paired up picks no. 32, 34, and no. 66 traded them to a divisional rival in Minnesota for the no. 12 pick (Williams) and pick no. 46.
Speed is the name of the game for Williams, who is nursing a torn knee he suffered in the College Football Playoffs but is expected to be ready for football activities by the summer. There is a chance the Detroit Lions elect to take things slow with their star receiver and place him on the PUP list to begin the regular season to assure he is entirely healthy before making his professional debut.
Holmes did a great job packaging up some of that draft capital the organization received from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Matthew Stafford.
The Detroit Lions draft a weapon in Jameson Williams.
Williams was stuck behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave in Ohio State and eventually transferred to Alabama, where he’d be the top receiver. Ironically, those three pass-catchers went in succession with picks 10 through 12.
So, if you are keeping track at home, Holmes has addressed two of the teams’ biggest needs early on in day one of the draft.
The 21-year-old, 6-foot-2 receiver is a burner and offensive weapon. Williams is coming off a stellar season with the Crimson Tide hauling in 79 balls totaling 1,572 receiving yards, good for 19.9 yards per catch and 15 touchdowns.
Jameson Williams' longest receptions per game: 94, 18, 29, 81, 26, 32, 75, 65, 58, 50, 79, 34, 67, 20, 40. You read that right. That’s 8 games with a reception over 50 yards; 6 games with a reception over 70 yards. And those are the ones he caught.https://t.co/OA7hgWbfA2
— Ollie Connolly (@OllieConnolly) April 29, 2022
The dynamic playmaker also averaged 35.2 yards returning kicks last season and brought a pair of his ten returns to the house.
The Detroit Lions are not only getting a serious offensive threat and a bonafide top receiver; they are getting someone who can drift back and return a kick in a big spot when needed.
Next. Lions Draft Coverage: 2022 First round big board. dark
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Suddenly, a weakness is becoming a strength. The receiver room now looks like a dangerous group led by Amon-Ra St. Brown, Williams, and DJ Chark. Take that trio and pair it with an elite offensive line, T.J. Hockenson, a reliable rushing attack, and the Detroit Lions offense looks like it will be a problem in 2022.