ALLEN PARK — Jameson Williams is still a work in progress, but Lions coach Dan Campbell likes what he is seeing from the wide receiver. He’s not a rookie, but the win over the Chargers was just his 11th NFL game due to injuries and a four-game NFL suspension to start this season.
“He’s improving, he feels like he’s one of the guys now, and he’s part of the team, he’s one of the guys, he’s putting in a good day’s work, he’s physical, he’s tough, the more he earns his stripes here the more opportunities he gets,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday.
So far Williams has eight catches for 89 yards and a touchdown (a 45-yard pass play in the win over the Bucs).
Williams had just two catches for 18 yards against the Chargers, but his most impressive plays were the blocks he set as running back David Montgomery ran 75 yards downfield for a touchdown.
“Every time he makes a block like he does or he runs the routes, he makes the catches, he gains the trust of everyone around and it just keeps going and going, his comfort level, his confidence level is going up,’’ Campbell said.
Blocking is an artform of sorts and Williams is learning.
“He’s developing, it’s all about the timing of when you’ve got to get there, so it goes back to the same thing with the zone stuff,’’ wide receivers coach Antwaan Randel El said on Wednesday. “Are you taking the right angles to get the blocks? He’s had to see it, get a couple reps at it to understand our offense and how it looks. … He’s been doing a much better job at that. We always say we need every guy.’’
As a first-round pick in 2022, much is expected from Williams. In the last six games in 2022, he had one catch (on nine targets) for a touchdown. He famously said during the 2023 training camp, “No block, no rock.” So he knows blocking is expected in the run game, along with the pass game.
Randle El said his production will increase.
“It’s a matter of time. He’s getting better, he’s excited about not just catching the ball, he’s excited about being where he’s supposed to be when he’s supposed to be there, about blocks for his teammates and stuff like that,’’ Randle El said. “Selflessness is coming out — he wants to do more for the team.’’
NEXT UP: Chicago Bears (3-7) at Lions (7-2) at 1 p.m.. on Sunday at Ford Field.
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