After a fairly turbulent start to his NFL career, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has rounded into form with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. A case could also be made that he is capable of more, or could do more in a different situation where he could be a more consistent part of the offense.
After this past season, Williams pointed to one area he wants to work on the most during the offseason.
"I want to get stronger for sure. That’s my main goal,” Williams said, via 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.”
Williams weighed in at 182 pounds entering the 2025 season. Time will tell how he shows up to OTAs, and if reporters notice a change in his physique. As long as he doesn't lose his trademark game-changing speed, a little extra weight/muscle won't hurt as he takes the next step in his evolution as a wide receiver.
Data aligns with where Jameson Williams has become great (and what he needs to work on)
In line with his breakthrough over the last couple seasons, Williams' route tree has evolved. He has become dangerous after the catch, as expected due to his elite speed, and one particular route has become his forte.
Daire Carragher of Pro Football Focus has revealed the site's best wide receivers on each route type during the 2025 season. Williams was the guy on crossing routes, and Carragher started with an explanation of what counts in that route category.
"This is an all-encompassing category that includes everything from shallow drags to deep over routes. These routes thrive against man coverage, with the aim of making defenders get their wires crossed as they pursue shifty wideouts across the formation."
"It’s therefore no surprise that one of the fastest and shiftiest receivers in football dominated on crossers in 2025. Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams amassed 368 receiving yards on crossing routes, by far the most in the NFL."
"He averaged 12.8 yards after the catch on these completions. These routes really lend themselves to players capable of turning on the afterburners and shooting up the sideline."
It's no surprise, then, that Williams registered at least a 90.6 PFF grade on any depth of throw between the numbers last season, highlighted by a 99.0 mark between 10 and 20 yards downfield.
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To paint a complete picture, Carragher revealed Williams' flaw on crossing routes last season.
"Williams was not without flaws on these routes, though. Five of his nine drops in the 2025 season came on crossers. Hanging onto the football over the middle of the field is one thing draft evaluators are constantly searching for. The prospect of getting hit by a larger safety or linebacker over the middle does not lend itself to Williams’ 189-pound frame. Regardless of this flaw, the 24-year-old has the production to back up his effectiveness in this area."
Navigating lurking safeties and linebackers in the middle of the field, not only to run crossing routes but hang onto the ball, is not for the faint of heart. Williams' slight frame is a crutch reason for his drops on those routes though, given how effective he otherwise was on them.
However, the number of drops Williams had on crossing routes last season aligns with what he said about wanting to get stronger. That way he won't be easily knocked off-course when Jared Goff delivers a well-thrown ball to him in the middle of the field, and production won't be literally left on the ground.