The Detroit Lions' offensive overhaul has been one of the most notorious in recent NFL history. They went from being 'Calvin Johnson and a bunch of JAGs' to having one of the most stacked units in the game.
While most of the attention goes to Amon-Ra St. Brown, and rightfully so, he's not the team's only star in the passing game. He was ranked No. 5 in ESPN's annual wide receiver survey, but a fellow Lion nearly made the cut as well.
Jameson Williams was one of the honorable mentions, and only one — not so minor — thing separated him from making the cut. As one unnamed NFL coordinator pointed out, he still needs to work on his hands:
"He can fly and is slippery. His speed opens up intermediate cuts. Getting in and out of breaks is not natural to him, but he's improved there. He goes across the field, uses all 53 yards. Hands aren't as consistent," the coordinator said.
Jameson Williams needs to work on his hands to reach the next level
Williams dropped 10.4 percent of his passes in his four years in the league, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Notably, that includes a career-worst nine drops (and a 12.2 percent drop percentage) last season.
On the bright side, he was better in terms of tipped passes last season, going down from four interceptions on intended targets to just one in 2025. He was also better at making contested catches with a 62.5 percent contested catch rate.
Williams' speed, acceleration, and ability to change gears are otherworldly. He looked like a superstar in college, and there's still a world where he can be a 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown-type weapon for the Lions.
Most of his miscues are mental. He tries to run before securing the ball, which is a common mistake for speedsters and players with a similar profile. Once he gets that sorted out, he can be unstoppable and a perennial one-play drive.
Of course, that takes some work and strong commitment. But after raising some doubts about his character earlier in his career, Williams has looked much more mature and locked in in the following years.
The Lions have all the tools to be one of the most explosive teams in the game. Hopefully, a change in the offensive coordinator department will be just what they need to return to their dominant ways next season.
And now that he's secured a big payday and that he's finally getting the recognition he's worthy of, Williams should use these comments as the motivation he needs to reach new heights after knocking on the door of stardom for four years now.
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