Lions field stretcher Jameson Williams could be in for a much-needed 2024 fantasy football breakout in a make-or-break third season after Lions HC Dan Campbell described the receiver as a ‘man on a mission’ and the team’s most improved player this offseason.
“He’s a man on a mission, and I’m just gonna leave it at that,” Campbell told reporters. When asked about which parts of his game were most improved, Campbell quickly added, “everywhere.”
As noted by Coachspeak Index, Dan Campbell is known as one of the most honest coaches when it comes to depth chart and usage/workload coachspeak. As expected, the old school ball coach is not one to undeservedly pump a player’s tires.
Does this mean Jamo is a lock for a monster third season? No, not necessarily. But, it’s a good sign that he’s getting early buzz from the head coach.
Importantly, the Lions’ target totem pole is ripe for the taking behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs. This makes Williams an intriguing late-round dart throw in Underdog Fantasy Best Ball and 2024 fantasy football drafts.
ROCKY START TO JAMO’S CAREER
Following an incredible final collegiate season at Alabama where he put up 79-1572-15 in 15 games, Jamo has been unable to find a groove in the NFL after the Lions selected him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Williams took the majority of his rookie season to recover from an ACL tear that he suffered in the CFP National Championship, finishing with only one reception for 41 yards and a score in six games.
After getting hit with a four-game gambling suspension in 2023, he was unable to put together any form of consistency and was failed to take over the WR2 spot from Josh Reynolds. However, he did pop throughout the season, posting an electric 21.48 MPH top speed in Week 16 and scoring twice against the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
Still, Williams finished his second season with 24 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 12 regular season games, ranking sixth on the team in catches.
“My mindset has been just to get better,” Williams said at OTAs. “Do better than last year. Help the team out a little bit more in a lot of ways. But hearing that (praise) from my coach means a lot because I’ve been working. I’ve been putting in work ever since the season ended. So, feels good hearing that.”
Kyle Meinke of MLive said he witnessed an enhanced route tree from Williams’ limited action at Lions OTAs, further complimenting the wide receiver on his progress.
JAMESON WILLIAMS 2024 FANTASY OUTLOOK
As noted, the Lions put its trust into Williams after moving on from WR2 Josh Reynolds in the offseason and neglecting to add a legitimate receiver in free agency or the NFL Draft, leaving Williams as the clear lid-lifter and WR2 on the perimeter behind St. Brown.
Not only would a breakout season be huge for Williams’ fantasy owners, but his elite speed would open up the offense and add a jolt of electricity to a unit that ranked top-five in back-to-back seasons
The Wolf is higher than most experts on Jameson Williams, ranking him WR44 (+4 vs ECR) on his 2024 Fantasy Rankings and Big Board.
