Why Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions is a Must Draft Fantasy Football Sleeper for the 2024 Season: Analyzing His Potential
By Jason Bolton August 17, 2024 09:33
As we inch closer to the 2024 NFL season, fantasy football diehards are tearing through every map they can access in search of sleepers; those players might have more value than you think based on what round they are going. And one of those names belongs to Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams. Although the beginning of his NFL career has been bumpy, we think Williams has all the ingredients to break out this season. Read on to learn about his strengths, position outlook, role in the team, and why interest might be brewing around him for fantasy football.
Jameson Williams Profile and College Stats
Williams was a star at Alabama, showing world-class speed and playmaking ability. Williams, 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, was a major asset for the Crimson Tide's offense. Williams displayed rare NFL characteristics throughout his career. His 19.9 yards-per-reception average indicates his deep-ball capability. In college, his career landed him as the top prospect in his draft class and established large expectations for what was to come.
Strengths as a Wide Receiver
However, Williams also features several strengths and qualities that make him an attractive fantasy option:
Speed: One of Williams' most obvious strengths is that he boasts top-end speed. One of the fastest players in the entire league, he solidified his place among them when running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. That speed often translates to the ability to blow the top off a defense and create big-play opportunities.
Route running: Williams is still maturing as a route-runner, but he exhibits the potential to create separation on smooth routes. While he lacks the ideal size for a 3-4 linebacker, Hubbard's versatility as an edge-rusher who can drop into coverage will be attractive to creative defensive coordinators.
Hands: Williams shows good hands and can make the tough grabs in traffic. More focus may help him get more targets when the Lions begin play. His ball security remains critical in doing so, which is key for gaining more of a bullhorn with Detroit's offense.
Playmaking: Williams combines his speed and shiftiness to make defenders miss out in space on short passes that can become long gains. That playmaking after the catch ability will do wonders for his fantasy value.
Projection
Williams is poised for a larger role in Detroit's offense this season as we head into 2024. Even with a rough start to his career, including tearing an ACL in his rookie season and being suspended for four games sophomore year, Williams should step into the WR2. The Lions did add Tyrell Williams to their receiving corps, but that means added targets for him and 2021 fourth-round draftee Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Williams has been among camp stars so far, and he's in line to serve as Matthew Stafford's top downfield option for Detroit. Given that the Lions are now bringing back offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, this should mean Williams being deployed in space out of San Francisco's base personnel and killing linebackers continuously against lighter boxes. This usage bump could mean a substantial rise in his fantasy production.
Why He'll Have a Breakout in 2024
Here are a few things that might make 2024 the season when Williams finally pops off.
Health: Williams has suffered injuries in his first two seasons, but reports indicate he is healthy and ready to make an impact. He could consistently prove himself on the field if healthy for a full season.
Elevated Targets: With Josh Reynolds' exit and low target competition, Williams will likely receive a greater share of target opportunities. That opportunity should translate into more catches and yards.
Chemistry with Quarterback: Williams and former No.1 pick Goff are two of the youngest players on this list, so as time goes by, we expect their chemistry to develop into a potent combination. Theoretically, a rapport between quarterback and receiver can result in more production and fantasy points.
Johnson's Offensive Scheme: Williams' speed should lead him to be used in many different ways, such as streaks and screens, which boost his outlook.
Brett Comparison to Other Top WR Prospects for 2024
Williams has perhaps the highest upside of any wide receiver prospect in 2024, and that's a factor to consider when comparing him with other wideouts for next season. This is not the same as saying that Lamb, Hill, or Chase cannot break out on their current squads; all three are proven superstars. However, Williams' situational talent and workload might make him a breakout candidate.
ADP and Projections: Williams sits as WR49 with an ADP in the ca. This has him in the sleeper range; as most players are being taken around, he may not have quite as much upside. Instead, Williams is falling even further as his price fails to catch up with the established players being drafted several rounds ahead of him.
Upside: Considering the stats we project Williams to have in 2024 (53.8 receptions, 758.7 yards, and 4.7 touchdowns), he has a chance to outplay where you get him in the draft by more than everyone else at wide receiver.
Breakout Potential: If Williams can command the same target market share as other WR2s around the league (close to 20%), he should have no problem topping triple-digits in receptions and surpassing 1,000 receiving yards with anywhere from six to eight touchdowns, all of which could translate into fantasy production.
Historical Comparisons: Across all historical data, many WRs make a vault in their third year, especially with high first-round pedigree. The situation for Williams is similar to the breakouts, which makes him an appealing target in fantasy drafts.
Drafting Jameson Williams
He has a middle-round ADP and could be poised for that breakout year, so Jameson Williams will also check in here.
Draft Strategy: Draft Williams as your WR3 or a solid flex option. With a high ceiling of WR2 potential, he is of tremendous value as a late-round pick only if you load up on RBs and others earlier in the draft.
Watch Training Camp: Stay tuned for camp battles and preseason reports. Williams is becoming more popular, and with that trending upward, so may his ADP.
League Format: In PPR leagues, Williams' ability to catch passes and gain yardage increases value. Temper your expectations based on the scoring format of your league.
He is well put together, has the skills needed to play wide receiver and has structure within Detroit's offense, which suggests he should be in line for a big season. Whether purely due to name recognition, perceived potential, or both, fantasy managers will likely be looking at Williams later in their drafts, only for him to come early on and make them regret that decision.
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