Just a few weeks back, things were looking bleak for Jameson Williams and his young career with the Detroit Lions. Drops were a concern and he was playing limited snaps. However, he’s done the little things over recent weeks and it’s earning him the opportunity to make big plays.
In fact, we’re getting to a point where it feels like Jameson Williams needs to be slotted as the permanent number two receiver for this offense.
The reason is that whenever he’s on the field, he’s making a key block or making a big play with the ball in his hands. Teams have to honor his speed, and it just feels like he gives this offense a different element that they didn’t have previously.
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This season, Williams has only played 271 offensive snaps but he’s only been active since week 5 of the season. Meanwhile, his offensive snap percentage has been 50% or higher since Week 9 against the Chargers. But if the Lions started playing him more, he would start taking snaps from receiver Josh Reynolds.
For Reynolds, he’s played 611 offensive snaps this season and has been averaging 64% or more snaps since week 9 against the Chargers. During that time, Reynolds has only recorded 6 receptions for 53 yards and a score. Despite playing less snaps, we’re seeing Williams produce better results. Since week 9, Williams has recorded 7 receptions for 124 yards and a score.
To me, it’s evident that the change needs to happen. Williams provides more of a spark for an offense that is already creative enough to get the ball into the hands of their play makers.
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson showed that creativity with a double reverse that found Williams diving into the end-zone for a touchdown that extended the Lions lead to 12 points. Let’s breakdown this touchdown for the Lions talented first round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft!
Despite being up 21-0 on the Saints, the Lions found themselves in a much tighter ball game than expected. Entering the 4th quarter, it was 27-21 and it was starting to feel like the Saints were going to take the lead. However, Jameson Williams and the Lions offense had a better idea.
Looking at the play above, we’re just seconds into the 4th quarter and the Lions are faced with a 2nd-and-10 on the Saints 19-yard line. The Lions come out with Jared Goff under center with his 12 personnel (one running back and two tight ends) on the field.
Once the ball is snapped, Goff fakes the hand-off to David Montgomery in the backfield and while Goff is carrying out his fake to the running back, he hands the ball off to wide receiver Kaliff Raymond. This is due to Raymond looping around to the backfield on the reverse.
However, to spice it up, not only does Raymond get the ball from Goff, he ends up handing it off to Jameson Williams. What makes this play remarkable is that Williams almost goes about 15 yards into the backfield to get the ball and then his speed and acceleration after getting the ball is just so impressive.
With a clear lane to the end-zone, Williams puts his foot on the gas and doesn’t stop until he scores. Lost in the speed of Jamo, there were two key blocks downfield on this play.
The first one is Graham Glasgow getting out in space and kicking out the cornerback that is flying across the field to make the tackle. Additionally, Penei Sewell blocks downfield and gets up to the safety to close off any angle that defender has to the football. The speed of Jamo is just the cherry on top for this play.