At OTAs, Lions coach Dan Campbell identified Jameson Williams the teams most improved player this offseason, calling him a “man on a mission.”
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is one of the more polarizing players on the roster. After the Lions traded up in the 2022 NFL Draft to select him with the No. 12 overall pick, expectations have been very high, but rocky starts to each of his first two NFL seasons have left some wondering if he will ever realize his potential.
On Thursday, coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media ahead of 2024 OTAs, and praised the third-year receiver for his work ethic and improvement in his overall game—giving fans hopes that Williams could be on the verge of a breakout season.
“We started this thing back in April,” Campbell noted about the Lions training schedule. “You’ve got Phase 1 for a couple of weeks, then we’ve been on the grass for three weeks in Phase 2, which has been routes on air, fundamentals, individuals, doing all this.”
Then, Campbell turned his attention to Williams.
“And we’re two practices in (to OTAs) and if you said, ‘Give me one player that is the most improved from that start to finish in that time,’ and Jamo would be that guy right now,” Campbell said. “He is a man on a mission, and I’m just going to leave it at that.”
When asked to elaborate on where he had seen improvement in Williams’ game, Campbell began answering before the question was completed.
“Everywhere. Everywhere, and we’re not in pads yet,” Campbell gushed.
The Lions’ belief in Williams appears to be more than just lip service, as their offseason actions—the Lions not acquiring another starter-level receiver, despite losing Josh Reynolds in free agency—point toward the young receiver taking on a more significant role in 2024.
The Lions’ offense is coming off two top-five seasons, and if Williams’ development indeed drives him to a breakout season, then watch out, because the sky is the limit for how good this group can be.