If you're not on the Jameson Williams hype train yet, it might be time to hop on before it gets too crowded.
Yes, the hype train stations are always busy this time of year as players enter in the "best shape of their lives" and "ready to take that next step." Not all of those hype trains reach their destinations, but if Williams' highlight reel catches throughout Detroit Lions training camp are any indication, his will.
After a slow start to his career, Williams is eying more than his third consecutive 1000-yard receiving season. Williams closed out last season accumulating yardage at a First-Team All-Pro rate, and has been putting in the work to get stronger and improve his catching this offseason.
That work has been paying dividends so far in training camp, and it's not just his speedy ability to get down the first for a deep shot. He still does that, of course. It's the physicality of his catches that have wowed those who've had the privilege to watch him at training camp.
That was made plain on day one of training camp, as Williams caught a contested ten-yard pass along the sideline with cornerback D.J. Reed tugging on his shirt. Those contested catches didn't stop when the pads came on, either. Last week, Williams had an amazing over-the-shoulder catch in the corner of the endzone, while draped by CB Rock Ya-Sin.
WAYMOOOOOO https://t.co/UMelm8JNdP pic.twitter.com/MXhtTELBpD
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 6, 2026
Williams' hard work reshapes the Lions' offense
That very physicality, that ability to haul in those contested passes, speaks to what Williams strove to improve from the moment the Lions' 2025 season ended in January, saying, "When I go through traffic on routes, I’m getting pushed over. I just need to be able to hold my weight a little bit."
New offensive coordinator Drew Petzing reiterated those goals for Williams last week, saying, "I think that's where he's tried to really improve, gaining some of that play strength, being faster at the line of scrimmage, and playing physical at the top of the route, and I think he's doing a nice job."
A "nice job" is a great start for Williams, who is already one of the league's better deep threats, and an honorable mention in the NFL Top 100. However, his cross route running and contested catch ability were two of the biggest missing pieces left in his game.
Team reporter Tim Twentyman has witnessed Williams' growth in both regards first hand, ranking him #10 among players who impressed the most through two weeks of training camp.
"Williams has really shown during padded practices how he's become a complete receiver. His speed allows him to make plays down the field, but he also made some tough catches up and over defenders and in a crowd that have been impressive. His route running has also been good, and every day this week he seemed to make a highlight play."
READ MORE: Jahmyr Gibbs has a historic prediction for Lions offense this season
Quarterback Jared Goff already has the luxury of throwing to a two-time First-Team All-Pro WR in Amon-Ra St. Brown, along with a former Second-team All-Pro tight end in Sam LaPorta. That's not to mention the highest-paid running back in the league in the dynamic Jahmyr Gibbs.
Williams' "incomplete" form has been a force to be reckoned with in itself. If this training camp hype does translate into the regular season, if his improved physicality and route running are for real and isn't just the Lions' suspect secondary unit, then "complete receiver" Williams may very well be the biggest threat in the Lions' passing game.
It's tough for a receiver to get more hyped up than that.
Add us as a preferred source on Google