After a slow start to his career, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons. This season he set career-highs in receptions (65) and yards (1,117), as head coach Dan Campbell taking over play calling midseason sparked better things for him after a slow start.
Even with this evolution into a more complete receiver the last two years, and the residual production increase, consistent involvement in the Lions' offense (aside from the stretch with Campbell calling plays) has been elusive for Williams. So it's easy to have optimism that even better things could be coming, since a full-fledged breakout arguably hasn't happened yet.
Jameson Williams points to No. 1 thing he wants to work on this offseason
Speed is clearly Williams' calling card, and in line with that he has been top-five in the league in yards per catch each of the last two seasons. This season, according to Sports Information Solutions, he was ninth among wide receivers (minimum 25 targets) in yards after the catch (439) and tied for seventh in yards after catch per reception (6.8).
Drops were a notable issue for Williams this season though, with a double-digit drop rate regardless of the source and the related number of drops. When the Lions parted ways for the offseason he pointed to something he wants to work on as he looks toward next season, and it could be seen as related to rectifying his increase in drops.
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"I want to get stronger for sure. That’s my main goal,” Williams said, according to John Maakaron of SI.com. “I want to get a little stronger. Move around a little more frequently. 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.”
The Lions listed Willliams at 182 pounds heading into this season. With his goal to get stronger in mind, it'll be interesting to see if he shows up to OTAs this spring with a notable difference in muscle mass. As long as he doesn't lose his trademark speed, everyone will be fine with the next step in his evolution being rooted in adding good weight to his frame.
Credit to Williams for recognizing something that seems small, but at the same time is significant to being the best wide receiver he can be. It also feels like a product of film review, and accepting some harsh feedback from wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery.