Should I Draft Jameson Williams? Fantasy Football Outlook

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams didn't get many reps in his first season. The rookie was coming off a torn ACL that he suffered during his final college season at Alabama. The wideout was still selected 12th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft and saw his first game action in Week 13. 

With the wideout fully back from his ACL injury, Williams was expected to be a great target in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts. Unfortunately, the 22-year-old will be suspended for the first six games of the 2023 season for violating the NFL's gambling policy. 

So, should you draft Williams in leagues this season? Where should he be selected? Let's dive in. 

Jameson Williams's 2022 Season

Williams wasn't utilized a ton during his rookie season. After working his way back from an ACL tear, the former Alabama superstar only played in six games in 2022. In those six contests, he played just 78 total snaps.

The rookie was simply non-existent. He caught just one pass for 41 yards and one touchdown in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings. Williams also had one carry for 40 yards in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. So, in year one, the wideout had two touches for 81 yards and one touchdown. 

Obviously, fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into Williams' rookie season. He barely saw any reps and missed almost the entire year. It was a positive, though, to see him record two 40-plus yard plays -- something that we could see more of in 2023. 

Should I Draft Jameson Williams?

Williams getting suspended six games to begin the year is a huge hit to his fantasy value. He already didn't play much last season and now will miss the first six weeks in 2023. It's not an ideal scenario for fantasy managers that want to grab the wideout in leagues. 

However, Williams is definitely worth the risk in drafts this season. His ADP is currently listed at 115 on Sleeper, around other wideouts like Odell Beckham Jr., Allen Lazard, Adam Thielen, and Rashod Bateman. The Lions' wideout has much more upside than all those players. 

It might take Williams a couple of games to get going once he returns to the field following his suspension. But he'll immediately come in as the WR2 on an elite offense. In 2022, the Lions' offense averaged the fifth most points per game (26.6), and that shouldn't change much this year. The second-year wideout could be a league winner if he can develop a strong connection with quarterback Jared Goff. 

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