5 most underrated Detroit Lions players heading into the 2022 season

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 05: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with Taylor Decker #68 of the Detroit Lions after throwing the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 05, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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4. RB Jamaal Williams

Apart from his contribution on the field last season (601 rushing yards, 26 catches), Williams emerged as a team leader/press conference podium star for the Lions in his first year on the team. In a related note, he’ll surely be a “Hard Knocks” star, even if he couldn’t care less about it.

When D’Andre Swift missed time last year, Williams also proved capable of carrying the load as the lead back. Whatever intangible value he has, he got it done on the field too.

Prior to signing with the Lions in 2021, Williams spent his first four seasons with the division rival Green Bay Packers. Despite never reaching a 50 percent snap share, with Aaron Jones also around, he topped 700 yards from scrimmage in three of those four seasons. In 2019, he had 39 receptions and five touchdowns through the air with a 41 percent snap share in the 14 games played.

Williams will never be a star, or anointed as “the guy” in anyone’s running back rotation wherever his career goes from here. But his value as a complementary piece on the field and a veteran presence off of it cannot be discounted, especially for this young Lions’ team.

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