Jameson Williams
WR – Alabama
6’2” 179 lbs
Age: 21
Notable College Production:
| Year | Class | Games | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Junior | 15 | 79 | 1572 | 15 |
Summary:
Jameson Williams is a dynamic downfield threat who can change a game with one touch. He has the ability to create big plays in the vertical passing game and with his run after the catch ability. He is thinly built but lightning quick and difficult for defenders to stick with. Williams is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in the CFP National Championship Game which may cap his fantasy upside for 2022 but he is a prospect to monitor as a potential late season breakout. He is currently the fifth rookie WR being selected in Underdog drafts but with a decent gap between himself and the top four. His ADP could be volatile throughout the offseason depending on where he is drafted and reports on his health.
Full Report:
Williams began his college career at Ohio State but ultimately transferred to Alabama after Chris Olave decided to return to Columbus for the 2021 season. There is some debate about how much Williams should be penalized for failing to earn playing time at Ohio State but personally I don’t view it as a serious concern due to the quality of players ahead of him and the level of production he put up in his one season at Alabama. He finished fifth in the nation in receiving yards (1,572) in 2021 and did so with an impressive 19.9 yards per catch. He also led the FBS with 11 touchdowns of 30+ yards which is just further evidence of his dynamic playmaking ability.
Williams is a lot of fun to watch with his elite explosiveness and quick-twitch routes. He routinely dusts defenders by using double moves and stutter steps to freeze the player in coverage and then exploding past them to create big play opportunities. He is equally adept at winning on deep routes and as a YAC threat on shorter routes. He shows tremendous open field elusiveness and was a very successful kick returner which is a positive indicator for receivers entering the league. He also offers the versatility to line up outside or in the slot and should be a valuable weapon in any scheme.
There are a few red flags in Williams profile, the most notable of which is the injury he suffered in January. This is less of a concern for his dynasty value but could impact his 2022 production depending on his rehab timeline. Additionally, his play strength leaves something to be desired and may allow good press corners to knock him off his routes. Although Williams has good hands and body control, he can be out-muscled at the catch point. He also doesn’t provide much as a blocker which could hurt his snap count early in his career. While those are relevant concerns, I don’t think they are likely to impact his fantasy production all that much given the role he will be expected to play in an offense. He shouldn’t need significant volume to offer weekly upside in best ball and could end up being a nice value in drafts if he is able to recover on time to earn a role early in the season.
