Jameson Williams Fantasy Outlook 2022: Should you draft Lions’ WR amid injury concerns?

This year’s NFL Draft class features a plethora of offensive talent, including a strong batch of rookie wide receivers. Most fantasy football owners have a lower familiarity level with these wideouts, but they still covet them on draft day because of their upside and breakout potential. Detroit’s Jameson Williams is one such WR, but he’s a unique case because of a left ACL injury that figures to slow him down at the start of the season. 

As a result, Williams’ ranking and ADP is lower than most of the other highly touted rookie WRs in his class, but that could be all the more reason to target him later in you drafts. Let’s break down Williams’ fantasy outlook for 2022. 

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Jameson Williams Injury Update: How long will Lions’ rookie WR be out? 

Detroit has been optimistic about Williams’ recovery from his torn left ACL, which he suffered during a 40-yard catch in Alabama’s loss to Georgia in the National Championship game. From the time the injury occurred, doctors have expressed that Williams will retain his 4.39-speed and continue to create consistent separation from defenders.

Surgeons have quelled the nerves of Lions fans, with reports throughout the spring and summer asserting that he’s ahead of schedule. Lions GM Brad Holmes, who was “just in love with’ the rookie wideout, did say that Williams will miss at least Week 1 and that Detroit will exercise caution with their coveted first-round pick.

“We’re going to be very smart with him,” Holmes said. “He’s in a good place right now. It’s not going to be Week 1.”

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Obviously, it’s not totally clear when Williams will return, but he figures to miss at least the first couple games. If Detroit is being extra cautious with him, he might be placed on the PUP list and miss the first four games. 

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Jameson Williams fantasy ranking and ADP

It’s easy to understand why plenty of fantasy owners are keen on drafting the Ohio State-turned-Alabama speedster. A dynamic deep-ball threat, Williams can take the top of any defense with his sub-4.40 speed and elite ball-tracking ability. He reminds many analysts of a taller version of former Chiefs and current Dolphins burner Tyreek Hill, a comp that will always build intrigue.

Detroit moved up in the NFL Draft to take Williams at No. 12 overall, making him one of the record six receivers drafted in the top 18 picks of the first round. Here’s what the Lions liked: 75 catches, 1,572 yards, 20.1 yards per catch, and 15 touchdowns in 15 games. Not too shabby, especially for a team that already has a solid young offensive nucleus of wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, running back D’Andre Swift, and tight end T.J. Hockenson.

The injury and air of mystery around Williams’ timetable has led to his ADP falling to 155, which makes him around the 65th receiver off most fantasy boards. That’s dart-throw territory, so we can’t blame you for the stash if you have the room on your bench and aren’t satisfied with your WR depth. If you have IR spots, even better. If you’re in a keeper league, bump him up by at least 40 spots.

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However, many warning signs exist with Williams, with the ACL obviously of paramount concern to Lions fans and fantasy owners alike. Even with positive rehab reports, you just never know with tall speedsters when it comes to knee problems. Hopefully for the Lions — and for fantasy owners — Williams will not become the next Kenny Golladay: a brilliantly talented receiver plagued by lower-body injuries.

What Golladay possesses and Williams lacks (when on the field): NFL strength and physicality. At Ohio State, Williams barely saw snaps because he often struggled through downfield contact. It wasn’t until he transferred to Alabama that we saw him flourish as a downfield threat, but he still relied almost entirely on his speed and not on toughness.

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Jameson Williams’ fantasy outlook 2022

At 6-2, 190 pounds, Williams clearly needs to bulk up in order to be an effective NFL receiver. If he can’t win 50/50 balls or make catches through contact, he’s going to have a brutal start to his career in a below-average passing offense.

That brings us to another huge concern: his quarterback. Jared Goff is well past his prime as a long-ball passer, which greatly reduces Williams’ short-term appeal as a dynamic downfield playmaker.

Just look at Goff’s yards per attempt, net yards per attempt, yards per completion, and total yardage numbers, which have steadily declined in each of the past three seasons:

It’s clear as day that Goff can’t throw the deep ball any longer. His 6.6 yards per pass thrown ranked 27th in the NFL last season, and his 5.6 net yards per pass ranked 26th. PFF graded him 30th among QBs last season, above only Taylor Heinicke and Sam Darnold. His 60.8 grade on 20-plus yard passes was second worst. He just doesn’t have the arm strength or deep accuracy anymore, so Williams will be affected just like Cam Newton’s late-career wideouts were affected.

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Goff’s stunted deep-ball obviously presents a massive roadblock for the short-term success of Williams as a pro. If the tall, thin wideout must battle in the trenches with bigger, stronger defensive backs or rely on curl and cross-routes, his upside will be severely limited. If he can’t get big enough or physical enough to stand out, he could very easily struggle to find targets amongst DJ Chark, Hockenson, and even Swift and backup RB Jamaal Williams.

As tantalizing as Williams’ playmaking ability may be, he’s barely a fringe top-150 player. In dynasty, he’s a no-brainer for a rebuilding team that can shoulder a raw talent recovering from a major injury. In multi-year keeper leagues, Williams still has a ton of value.

A better value investment in Williams’ ADP range: Kansas City’s Mecole Hardman, another speedster dealing with a recent injury (groin). Hardman already returned to practice, as his injury was believed to be more of a tweak than a serious strain. There are plenty of other upside receivers who also seem like better pickups in the WR60-WR65 territory.

We also have more short-term faith in Cowboys rookie Jalen Tolbert, as well as veteran Jamison Crowder in his first stint in Buffalo. Both could benefit greatly from solid roles in elite passing offenses. Williams could be a great producer and highlight-reel playmaker one day — but that day probably won’t come less than a year removed from ACL surgery and with Goff at the helm.