Jameson Williams DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett expects the Detroit Lions to attack defenses more deep down the field in 2025 under new offensive coordinator John Morton, which should primarily benefit big-play wide receiver Jameson Williams. The 24-year-old pass-catcher had his fifth-year option picked up for the 2026 season after breaking out in 2024 in his third year in the league to the tune of 58 receptions, 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns on 91 targets over 15 regular-season games (11 starts), where were career-highs across the board after injuries and a suspension limited him in 2022 and 2023. Williams' 2024 numbers were good enough to make his the WR22 in point-per-reception formats, but he's still a bit of a boom/bust fantasy option in a Lions offense with lots of playmakers. He will need to be efficient with his touches, but Williams showed last year he's a home run threat every time he touches the football.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams notched his first 1,000-yard campaign in 2024, snagging 58 passes for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games. The former No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft looked to be headed toward a "bust" label after his first two seasons in the league, but his production last year was promising, and new Lions offensive coordinator John Morton expects a "huge" season from the speedster in 2025. While Williams is likely to continue to be a boom-or-bust player in a crowded offense, he has reportedly been great in meetings and has picked up his attention to detail. The 24-year-old finished as the overall WR19 in half-PPR formats a season ago and delivered seven top-24 weekly finishes. According to ESPN, he is being selected as the WR32 in early fantasy football drafts, so he could be a tremendous value pick if Morton's forecast comes to fruition.

The Detroit Lions exercised wide receiver Jameson Williams' fifth-year option for the 2026 season on Friday, a source tells ESPN's Field Yates. This was a no-brainer move for the Lions after Williams broke out with his first 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024. The 24-year-old former first-rounder out of Ohio State is projected to make $15.49 million in 2026 on his fifth-year option. Williams played in only 18 games (10 starts) in his first two years in the NFL due to recovery from a torn ACL in his final year in college and a suspension for gambling last year. In 15 games (11 starts) during the regular season a year ago, he caught 58 of 91 targets for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added 11 carries for 61 yards and a TD. Williams has big-play ability every time he touches the ball, but his lack of volume in a loaded Detroit offense is worrisome and makes him a boom-or-bust fantasy commodity.