Tag: Mike Williams Chargers

Fantasy football spotlight: WR Mike Williams, Chargers

Where will Williams’ game head after a career year?

Selected seventh overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams put together a moderately successful four-year run heading into play last season. Over those first four years, he’d topped 1,000 yards (once), reached double-digit TDs (once), and averaged 16.7 yards per catch — that last number cementing his status as a potent downfield threat. Still, he never caught 50 passes in a season heading into 2021 and was no lock to be part of the team’s long-term plans.

Entering the final season of his rookie deal, Williams picked the right time to put together his best year to date, collecting 76 receptions, 1,146 yards, and nine touchdowns. While those wouldn’t be viewed as monster numbers, it was enough to earn Williams a three-year, $60 million deal to remain in LA.

Even in his best overall campaign, it was still an up-and-down performance from Williams in 2021. He opened the year by posting more than 80 yards receiving four times over the Chargers’ first five games and scoring a half-dozen times. After that, however, the Clemson product managed a lone score over his next nine outings with only two games of more than 65 yards receiving.

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Doubtless the team will be looking for more consistency this year, though Williams will almost assuredly be less reliable than veteran wideout Keenan Allen based on the former’s designation as more of a field stretcher. At 6-foot-4, 218 pounds, the sixth-year pro is among the NFL’s best in that department with the size to win on 50/50 balls as well as the speed to get over the top.

Fantasy football outlook

The question for fantasy owners is how much upside still exists with Williams? Unfortunately, that’s hard to say. If you want to argue he has another level to reach, such a case would probably begin with continued development from quarterback Justin Herbert, who is only entering his third year and looks poised to join the NFL’s elite — like Williams, the Oregon alum needs more consistency. The counter would be that Williams, who is entering his age-28 season, is already in his prime physically, and he has continued to offset strong performances with no-shows. Why would Year 6 be any different?

At this stage Williams feels a bit overextended if you’re counting on him to produce WR2 numbers on a weekly basis. If you can grab him as your third receiver, however, there’s certainly enough upside there to deliver big performances and average out as a viable No. 2 over a full season. He’s poised to be overvalued in more casual settings.

Chargers’ Mike Williams among top wide receivers in various statistical categories

Chargers WR Mike Williams is earning a huge contract with his career year.

The only person who would have been able to tell you that Mike Williams would not only be a top wide receiver for the Chargers, but the entire league is offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.

In his new role as the ‘X’ receiver in Lombardi’s system, Williams has made a significant impact in the season’s first three games.

Williams has posted 22 catches, 295 receiving yards, and four touchdowns.

Not only does he lead the team in each of these categories, but Williams is among the NFL’s best. He’s tied for third in the league in receptions, fifth in yards, tied for second in scores, and fourth in targets with 31.

Williams also became the first Chargers player since tight end Antonio Gates in 2010 to score a touchdown in each of the first three games of a season.

It might have taken a few years to get Williams to play like a first rounder, but Lombardi and the rest of the coaching staff have done a fine job of putting him in a position to live up to that billing.

Williams has excelled with an expanded route tree, and he has been an integral piece of the offense’s run-pass option (RPO) game.

The connection between quarterback Justin Herbert and Williams has been quite the sight to see, and it’s unlikely to slow down anytime soon.

If Williams continues to perform like this every week, it’ll be difficult for the front office not to consider extending him, even before the season ends.

Which Chargers offensive player will benefit most from new coaches?

Identifying the Chargers player that should be in for a big year under OC Joe Lombardi.

For many, a new coaching staff brings a new opportunity to provide a first impression. For some, it’s a chance to be used properly. For others, it could be a chance to have the best coach in your career.

For the Chargers, there’s a handful of players that should benefit from first-year head coach Brandon Staley and the offensive staff that he brought in, but to me, there is one in particular that stands out.

Wide receiver Mike Williams, who is entering the final year of his contract, is in a prime position to have his best season to date under offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.

Williams will be playing the ‘X’ receiver, which is the same role that was held by one of the league’s best wideouts, Saints’ Michael Thomas, who has put up record-setting receiving numbers dating back to 2018.

While Williams will have to fend off other play-makers for targets like Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, Jared Cook, Tyron Johnson, among others, the nature of the offense naturally favors the role he will be playing.

“As much as this offense will resemble New Orleans, he plays the ‘X’ and the ball has always kind of found the ‘X’ receiver in this offense,” Lombardi said about Williams.

Williams has been known for his big-play ability down the field, whereas Thomas did the majority of his work in the short to intermediate parts of the field. How Williams will be utilized in that role will be an intriguing storyline at training camp.

Thomas has averaged a little over 150 targets per season during his first four healthy campaigns, and Williams has averaged 80 targets the last three seasons. If Williams can surpass over 100 targets, I believe he could be due for over 70 catches for 1,200 yards and 8-10 touchdowns.

“I see a big role for him. If I were a betting man, I’d bet on nice numbers coming from him on the stat sheet,” Lombardi said.

Should he stay healthy and have a big year, Williams could garner a nice-looking contract extension next offseason, whether that be with Los Angeles or somewhere else.

What should Chargers do with WR Mike Williams?

Should the Chargers keep or let go of wide receiver Mike Williams?

Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams isn’t slated to be a free agent this year, but that doesn’t mean he will be on the roster next season.

Los Angeles elected to pick up Williams’ 2021 fifth-year team option last May, meaning he is set to be due $15.7 million in 2021.

With the cap dropping due to COVID-19, Williams’ cap hit would be the 10th-highest cap hit for any receiver for 2021 — more than Vikings’ Adam Thielen, Bills’ Stefon Diggs and Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins.

Williams would then have the third-highest cap hit of any player on the roster next season, trailing only edge defender Joey Bosa and wide receiver Keenan Allen.

You can make a strong argument for that being too much money for a receiver who has not played like a top-10 receiver, failing to surpass 50 catches, has just seven touchdowns over the past two seasons and has dealt with a slew of injuries along the way.

The argument for keeping Williams is that he is well-liked as a person, he is one of the hardest workers on the team, showing the ability to play through the injuries and there aren’t many receivers that possess the athletic profile that he does at his size.

The Chargers will have some options.

L.A. could sign Williams to an extension that is more in line with his production, given the team’s healthy cap situation, or they could rescind the fifth-year option or possibly trade him and look for a No. 2 receiver in the draft or via free agency.

Los Angeles has until the start of the league year in March to finalize their decision.

Chargers WR Mike Williams a game-time decision for season opener vs. Bengals

The Los Angeles Chargers may or may not have their No. 2 wide receiver for the season opener.

There’s a possibility that Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams will be on the field for the season opener against the Bengals.

According to coach Anthony Lynn, Williams will be a game-time decision for Week 1, per Orange County Register’s Gilbert Manzano.

This comes a couple weeks after Lynn said that the Williams would be “out for awhile” after he sustained a shoulder sprain.

Williams’ final status will likely depend on how he looks this week during practice.

If he is unable to go, Los Angeles will have to figure out their wide receiver alignment alongside Keenan Allen when they take on Cincinnati.

They will have to decide between a group that consists of Jalen Guyton, Jason Moore and rookies Joe Reed and K.J. Hill, all of whom made the 53-man roster.

Chargers WR Mike Williams getting shoulder checked out

The injury doesn’t appear to be serious.

Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams almost made a phenomenal one-handed catch during practice on Sunday. However, Williams was unable to reel it in. As a result, he left practice holding his right arm after coming down hard.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that Williams left the practice field and went to the team’s doctor to receive tests on his shoulder. Rapoport added that the collarbone wasn’t damaged, and there’s optimism that it’s not a serious injury.

Williams is entering the third season of his professional career. The former Clemson product finished his 2019 campaign with 49 catches for 1,001 yards and two touchdowns. He had his fifth-year option exercised by Los Angeles earlier this offseason.

Who is the Chargers’ ‘most promising building block’?

The Los Angeles Chargers look to build around the fourth-year wide receiver.

The Chargers are starting a new era at the quarterback position. When having a new signal-caller, having a strong supporting cast is quite beneficial.

Luckily, Los Angeles is equipped with a slew of promising skill players for Tyrod Taylor and Justin Herbert, which consists of Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, Hunter Henry and the ascending Mike Williams.

Williams was named the “most promising building block” by Bleacher Report.

The Los Angeles Chargers are turning the page after moving on from Philip Rivers in the offseason. Whether it’s veteran Tyrod Taylor or rookie Justin Herbert, the Chargers’ new quarterback is going to need all the help he can get from the team’s weapons.

Weapons such as fourth-year wide receiver Mike Williams.

Williams has been on something of a steady ascent over the past three seasons. After an injury-marred rookie year, Williams became a big-time red-zone threat for the 12-4 Chargers in 2018, reeling in 10 touchdowns. He scored just twice in 2019, but he averaged 20.4 yards per reception—tops in the league—and topped 1,000 yards for the first time.

Williams isn’t the No. 1 wide receiver for the Chargers—that title still belongs to Keenan Allen, who has made the Pro Bowl in each of the past three years. But if Williams keeps it up, it won’t be that long before he receives a Pro Bowl nod of his own.

After being banged up during his rookie season in 2017, Williams has been the model of consistency since then. In 2018, Williams surpassed the 10-touchdown mark. In 2019, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. His 20.4 yards per reception ranked first in the league.

The team saw the production throughout the past couple of seasons, which is why Williams had his fifth-year option picked up by the Chargers earlier this offseason which will keep him under contract through the 2021 season.

Whether it’s Taylor or Herbert under center, plenty of deep ball opportunities should be there for the big-bodied target this upcoming season, as he looks to unlock his full potential in hopes of making his Pro Bowl.