After two disappointing campaigns to start his career in 2022 and 2023, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams had a breakout performance in 2024, with the former first-round pick tallying career-highs in catches (58), receiving yards (1,001) and touchdowns (eight).
Now, the Lions are faced with a decision on Williams' fifth-year option, which will come down by May 1. The expectation is that Detroit will pick up that option after Williams, who is entering the final year of his $17 million rookie contract, was a crucial cog in the Lions' offense last season.
However, one analyst, AtoZ Sports' Mike Payton, thinks there's a chance the Lions will trade Williams during the 2025 NFL draft if the team opts to take a wide out. The Lions have shown interest in multiple wide receivers during the pre-draft process, including projected first-round talent, Matthew Golden.
In response to Payton's suggestion, Last Word on Sports' Anthony Palacios has begun thinking about possible landing spots for the Alabama product if he's traded, and Palacios thinks the Kansas City Chiefs could be one of them.
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"It’s a weird situation for the Kansas City Chiefs; Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice will only thrive as long as they can stay out of trouble. Meanwhile, veteran Marquise Brown is in for one year to try to win a Super Bowl this season. After losing DeAndre Hopkins, the team could use a guy like Williams, who has the same body type as Rice and Worthy," Palacios wrote.
The Chiefs currently have a pretty shaky situation at wide receiver. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy are both promising but unproven, and Rice is coming off a significant knee injury.
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The team did retain Marquise Brown, but he's had issues staying healthy during his career, and the Chiefs let DeAndre Hopkins walk in free agency.
Kansas City hasn't had a true burner who can make a big impact since trading away Tyreek Hill. Worthy could prove to be that guy, but again, the jury is still out on him.
Williams would fill that role perfectly thanks to his impressive deep-ball prowess and overall ability to make explosive plays happen. He's also just 24, so Williams has the potential to be a long-term solution at wide receiver in Kansas City.
All that said, it remains to be seen if the Lions would be willing to trade him. After all, he's the No. 2 receiver in the offense and Detroit is gearing up for another crack at the Super Bowl, so it seems unlikely they'd deal such an important weapon.
On the flip side, Williams has had some off-the-field issues during his career, and that might be concerning to the Lions enough that they get what they can for the young wideout while his stock is as high as it is.
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