The Lions saw no reason to wait around to grab a wide receiver. A deal with the Vikings allowed them to nab Jameson Williams, a wide receiver from Alabama, in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night.
Detroit traded picks 32, 34 and 46 to the Vikings for the 12th and 46th picks in the NFL draft.
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said Williams’ speed on the outside can dictate coverage which is what they were looking for.
“I feel really good about where he can play for us, what his best skillset is right now and where he can grow. He’s got untapped potential that we think we can get out of him,” Johnson said, noting that he can play in any receiver spot.
Johnson said Williams has game-changing ability. He called him a “fearless competitor.” Also said he’s a passionate guy which is one of the boxes the Lions hope to check with each pick.
Last season Williams (6-foot-2 and 190 pounds) grabbed 79 passes, ranking fifth in the FBS with 1,572 receiving yards and tied for third with 15 receiving touchdowns in 15 starts. He posted an FBS-best 11 touchdowns of 30-plus yards in 2021. He was named a first-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-SEC receiver and Co-SEC Special Teams Player of the Year (10-352-35.2, two TDs kick returns), and a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which honors the nation’s top receiver.
He suffered an ACL tear against Georgia in the national title game. He said on Thursday night that he doesn’t have a timetable for when he’ll be ready to play but hopes to be ready for training camp.
Johnson said he is not sure how Williams’ injury affected his draft stock, but also said that once he is healthy defenses will notice his speed.
Williams said he didn’t have much conversation with the Lions in the pre-draft process.
“I see myself as being a big part of this offense,” Williams said in a media call.
Williams was the fourth wide receiver drafted. Drake London (USC) went No. 8, Garrett Wilson (Ohio State) was 10th and Chris Olave (Ohio State) went 11th.
According to his draft profile, Williams was able to eviscerate the cushion and blow by corners, his extra burst before route break forces coverage to bail out and separation feels inevitable on long-form patterns.
Earlier, with the second overall pick, the Lions drafted edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who played at Michigan.
“It feels great to be home, once again … It was Lions all the way, the whole draft process, I wanted them to pick me,’’ Hutchinson said during a virtual call with the Lions media.
Over and over again he said he is grateful the Lions picked him.
The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Travon Walker (Georgia) with the first overall pick. Hutchinson said his agent told him on Wednesday that it was about 90% he would not go to Jacksonville.
“I picked Michigan when I was in high school (Dearborn Divine Child), and to have the opportunity to play at home in front of a lot of the same fans. I’m so grateful, I can’t tell you how excited I am,’’ Hutchinson said.
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