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.