Mike Williams DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Los Angeles Chargers are signing free-agent wide receiver Mike Williams to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million on Wednesday night, sources tell FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Williams spent the first seven years of his career in L.A. and will now reunite with quarterback Justin Herbert as a big, physical downfield threat. The 30-year-old veteran never developed into the consistent pass-catcher they hoped he'd be when they took him seventh overall in 2017 out of Clemson, although he did have a 10-touchdown season in 2018 and reached the 1,000-yard mark twice. In his first year away from the Chargers in 2024, he spent time with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers and failed to make an impact, catching a combined 21 passes on 34 targets for 298 yards and just one score in 18 games (five starts). Due to familiarity and opportunity, Big Mike should be able to bounce back as a starter with the Bolts, but consistency could be a real issue.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams played on over 35% of offensive snaps for the first time in black and gold last week and will look for continued utilization in a Week 17 meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City has been middle-of-the-road against opposing wideouts in 2024, surrendering the 16th-most fantasy points per contest to the position. Williams may see yet another uptick in his playing time on Wednesday, but it is difficult to project him for many opportunities with George Pickens (hamstring) pushing to make his return from a three-week absence. Williams was unable to make an impact for fantasy purposes with Pickens sidelined, so there is no reason to consider him in starting lineups this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams has both opportunity and a great matchup in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens, but starting him at this stage of the fantasy playoffs is not advised. Pittsburgh will again be without top receiver George Pickens (hamstring) and Baltimore has been unusually poor against the pass, ranking 31st against fantasy receivers. However, it's awfully difficult to start a receiver that played only 29% and 35% of the team's snaps without Pickens the past two weeks. Williams may see a slight uptick in production against Baltimore, but he's just not getting enough run in the Steelers' offense to gamble on this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams put up a dud in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Williams saw two targets and hauled in one catch for 15 yards. In a game where the Steelers were (+5.5) underdogs and expected to throw more playing from behind, they could only muster up 128 yards through the air. There was some optimism for a stronger performance from Williams because George Pickens (hamstring) was sidelined, but he couldn't deliver. The Steelers will try to re-group and prepare for a pivotal divisional matchup in Week 16 at the Baltimore Ravens. Williams is not a recommended start moving forward. He does not see the consistent targets and opportunities fantasy managers seek. Williams is a FLEX option at best in deep-league formats versus the Ravens in Week 16.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams should once again be more involved in the offense in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday with George Pickens (hamstring) missing a second straight game. However, Williams still won't be recommended as a starting fantasy play in most formats in the first round of the playoffs this week in most leagues. The 30-year-old big-bodied deep threat played only 29% of the offensive snaps in last week's win over the Browns with Pickens out, but he did see his most targets (four) in his fifth game with the team and caught three passes for 36 yards. Pittsburgh could be facing limited passing volume for the second straight week on the road in a hostile environment against an Eagles defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest half-PPR points per game to receivers this year. Williams is no more than a desperation flex play that will most likely burn you.