The Lions’ recent success is largely attributed to their draft picks meeting or surpassing expectations. However, not all of Detroit’s selections have delivered as hoped.
Wide receiver Jameson Williams, the team’s first-round pick (No. 12) in 2022, has underperformed in his first two NFL seasons, managing only 25 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns over 18 games. His struggles can be partly attributed to injuries and a four-game suspension for gambling, but general manager Brad Holmes believes the 23-year-old simply needed time to mature.
Holmes noted, “You’ve probably heard from him that he needed to mature, and you’ve seen that growth. We thoroughly researched all our players, including Jamo, and felt confident he would fit in well. We knew he needed some growth, and he’s made progress accordingly.”
Williams had an impressive final college season at Alabama, with 68 receptions for 1,445 yards and 15 touchdowns, which is why the Lions were eager to draft him. Despite facing challenges early in his professional career, Holmes is optimistic about Williams’ potential heading into his third season.
Holmes commented, “You can definitely see he’s put in the effort and is working even harder. He’s passionate about football, and it shows in his performance this training camp.”
The Lions have managed well without relying heavily on Williams due to strong performances from other receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond, and tight end Sam LaPorta. Even though Williams didn’t make a significant impact last season, the Lions reached the NFC Championship Game. Holmes is hopeful that with continued learning from the experienced players around him, Williams could help make the offense even more formidable this year.
Holmes added, “With elite players like St. Brown and Kalif Raymond as examples, Williams has the opportunity to learn from the best. The results from camp show he’s benefiting from this guidance.”