From the moment he was signed as an undrafted free agent, Isaiah Williams felt like a sneaky candidate to make the Detroit Lions' roster. It would certainly be an uphill climb, but history (the Lions have had an undrafted rookie make their initial roster 14 years in a row) shows that if he proved himself worthy he could make it.
Williams did not necessarily show out in training camp practices. But he had a team-high four catches for 35 yards in the first preseason game, and he followed that with six catches for 71 yards in the second preseason game. He only had one catch for 17 yards in the preseason finale, but he continued to have a productive run as a return man with 67 combined return yards (leaving out a nice punt return that was wiped out by a penalty).
Williams, as a smaller, slot receiver, return man-type, looks to be redundant as a fit on the Lions' roster with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond filling those roles. But the reigning Big Ten reception leader has emerged from a group of wide receivers Dan Campbell begged for someone to emerge from, and if the Lions truly keep their best 53 players going into the season he is one of them.
After Saturday's game, via Ben Raven of MLive, Williams talked about showing his versatility as he vies for a roster spot.
"That’s everything. It’s huge (versatility). When you not Amon-Ra St. Brown, one of the best receivers in the league, or Jamo or Kalif, you got to make your way by being a guy that does everything right. By being a guy, ‘OK, can he block?’ OK, I’m going to show you I can block. ‘OK, can you play special teams?’ OK, I’m going to show you I can play special teams. ‘OK, if Saint is going to go to Z, can you play F, or if Saint is at F, can you go play Z?’ Just showing them that I’m versatile, whatever you need me to do I can do it."
During the preseason finale, Williams was seen yelling at an improperly lined up Donovan Peoples-Jones.
UDFA Isaiah Williams telling vet Donovan Peoples-Jones where he's supposed to be on a play. DPJ doesn't get there and the Lions burn a timeout to save the penalty
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) August 24, 2024
Isaiah Williams is spot-on with feeling he has done enough to make Lions' roster
Asked directly if he felt like he did enough to make the Lions' roster, Williams had an expected answer.
"In a way, yeah. But you never know because at the end of the day, they're trying to set up a team to win a championship and you never know how that’s supposed to set up. But I hope I did enough and showed them that I fit along with that winning culture. I want to win. I’m gonna go out there and help the team win, whatever you need me to do. Hopefully I put it on tape enough."
Campbell acknowledged the obvious reality of parting with some good players when roster cuts are made. Other teams are certainly lurking, hoping Williams is cut so they have a chance to get him. But he certainly put enough, actually more than enough, on tape during the preseason to show he's worthy of a spot on the Lions' 53-man roster. At this point, it's be a big surprise if he doesn't make it.