The Detroit Lions finally saw wide receiver Jameson Williams take a leap in 2024. The former Alabama standout tallied just 25 receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns in his first two seasons in the league in 2022 and 2023, but he posted career highs across the board last year, which included 1,001 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Though Williams is on his way towards establishing himself as a long-term piece in Detroit, AtoZ Sports' Mike Payton believes the promising receiver could be on the move if the Lions select a wide receiver early in the 2025 NFL Draft. Williams' fifth-year option is also looming, though the expectation is that Detroit will pick it up.
Williams being moved would be shocking, but anything can happen in the NFL. Many teams would be interested in the former first-round pick, but Last Word on Sports' Anthony Palacios lists the Los Angeles Chargers as a top landing spot for Williams.
"Last season, the Los Angeles Chargers made it far into the 2024 campaign even though they had one of the worst groups of pass catchers. 2024 draft pick Ladd McConkey is still the only set of reliable hands despite the team bringing back veteran Mike Williams. He’s way past his prime and can’t compensate for Justin Herbert’s throwing arm. However, the team could trade for Jameson Williams as a capable replacement for DJ Chark, who was a complete bust last year," Palacios wrote.
Though Ladd McConkey had a phenomenal rookie campaign, the Chargers' offense still lacks explosiveness. Adding Williams to the unit would solve that problem and give quarterback Justin Herbert a dynamic playmaker with elite speed.
Though trading for Williams comes with a lot of positives, there is also some risks involved. The 23-year-old has had a few off-the-field issues over the last three years, and will likely demand a lucrative extension sooner rather than later. However, Los Angeles must surround Herbert with as much talent as possible and Williams has the potential to be a consistent game-changer, so the risk would be worth the reward.
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Moving Williams could make sense if Detroit takes a wide receiver in Round 1, but it still seems unlikely that general manager Brad Holmes will part ways with his young and exciting playmaker just yet. The Chargers would be an ideal fit for Williams, but expect him to remain with the Lions for the 2025 season.
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