Could Isaiah Williams have a bigger than expected role in the Lions' offense?

From the moment he was signed as an undrafted rookie, it seemed Isaiah Williams had a chance to make the Detroit Lions' roster. Then he went out and got it done, catching 11 passes for 123 yards along with 164 combined return yards during the preseason.

At a glance, Williams (5-foot-10, 186 pounds) is redundant in the Lions' wide receiving corps. He profiles as a slot receiver, with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond used heavily in the slot too. But St. Brown can't be pigeonholed as a slot receiver, and Raymond has been productive as an outside receiver. So there are possibilities to get Williams on the field, and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will certainly find them.

Could Isaiah Williams have a big role in the Lions' offense this year?

Williams led the Big Ten in receptions last year with 82, and he was second in the conference in receiving yards (1,055). The season before, he had another 82 catches (second in the Big Ten).

There's certain context allowed for it being preseason as he enters the NFL, but he showed he has something to offer the Lions' offense.

Justin Melo of The Draft Network (and Titan Sized) recently outlined three UDFAs who he feels are poised to make an impact this year. Williams made the list.

"The explosive Detroit Lions offense is entering the season searching for pass-catching weapons to emerge opposite Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. It's a big year for Jameson Williams, who must finally prove capable of meeting his pre-draft hype. An underrated weapon that could work himself into the rotation is undrafted receiver Isaiah Williams."

"Williams made the roster over veteran wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones. I could see him replacing Kalif Raymond in three-receiver sets while also making a sizable impact via special teams."

The NFL's new kickoff rules, which means teams will have two deep return men, opens the door for Williams to make an impact there.

The idea he could replace Raymond in three-receiver sets for the Lions is more interesting.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell outlined why the strict "WR3" role ("65 snaps a game" wouldn't be the ideal plan with Raymond, with all he does in mind. Raymond also played just a 30 percent offensive snap share last year. With Josh Reynolds gone, will that snap share rise notably this year? It's been easy to just say "yes", tracing somewhat to a lack of other options.

One way or another, Williams has surfaced as someone the Lions need to find a way to put on the field. He won't catch 80 passes in such a loaded offense this year, but there is a potential path to a bigger role than might be expected.