Jameson Williams Picks up a Hamstring Injury in Practice, Remains a ’23 Fantasy Football Fade

Adding to a laundry list of setbacks to begin his NFL career, it was announced on Thursday morning that Jameson Williams suffered a hamstring injury that head coach Dan Campbell said has a “good chance” to keep out of the rest of the preseason. 

With only 37 routes run through six truncated games to begin his career, it’s obvious that this is not what Detriot had in mind when selecting him with the 12th-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. If everything goes to plan during his time away from the team, Williams *should* be able to operate as the team’s WR2 by the end of 2023, which will push down the veterans playing opposite St. Brown.

Amon-Ra remains a very interesting selection in this year’s fantasy football drafts, but we’ll have to slightly temper expectations in the back-half of the season with the return of Williams and the addition of receiving-game specialist rookie Jahmyr Gibbs.

Now with another unfortunate development, it will be difficult for fantasy managers to roster Williams all the way until the middle of October, in hopes that he becomes an explosive player into the fantasy playoffs.

Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions, 4for4’s RB74 in Half PPR Fantasy Football Rankings 

You’re bound to get an inflated ADP when you combine an exciting prospect with a potentially high-volume offense. The larger issue is his suspension. It would be easy enough to tell yourself a story about a second-year breakout, even considering his struggles in his rookie season, if he was going to be on the field in Week 1.

Check out Matt Jones’ full breakdown of Jameson Williams’ 2023 Fantasy Prospects

Detroit Lions current wide receiver depth chart:

1. Amon-Ra St. Brown
2. Marvin Jones
3. Josh Reynolds
4. Denzel Mims
5. Kalif Raymond
6. Antoine Green

Amon-Ra St. Brown 2023 Fantasy Football Outlook

St. Brown turned in a WR8 finish after a WR27 rookie season. He posted the 7th-highest yards per route run (tied with Cooper Kupp and Stefon Diggs with 2.40). Not much has changed in Detroit, though the arrival of Jahmyr Gibbs and the return of Jameson Williams (after his suspension) could somewhat change the targets-dynamic in Detroit.

But with 196 catches and 2,073 yards in his first two seasons, St. Brown’s career is off to a great start and he should produce more of the same in his third year.

Who is wide receiver Jameson Williams?

Jameson Williams is a talented wide receiver who made a name for himself in the world of college football. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Williams attended Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School where he showcased his exceptional skillset. Known for his speed and agility, Williams quickly caught the attention of college recruiters. He eventually committed to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes, a prestigious program in the NCAA Division I.

 During his time at Ohio State, Williams became known as a deep threat due to his ability to stretch the field and create big plays. Despite having limited playing time in his first two seasons, he made a significant impact in the 2020 season, catching 9 passes for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns. However, it was in 2021 when Williams truly emerged as a standout player. In the first five games of the season, he had already amassed over 750 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. His explosive speed and remarkable catch-and-run ability earned him a reputation as one of the top receivers in the country.

Williams’ performances caught the attention of NFL scouts, and he decided to enter the 2022 NFL Draft. His size, speed, and exceptional ball skills make him an appealing prospect for teams in need of a dynamic receiver. With his natural athletic ability and dedication to improving his craft, Williams has the potential to become a star in the NFL. If Williams is able to persevere through a handful of early-career setbacks, he could be in line to make a huge impact in the back-half of the 2023 season and beyond.

Who are some additional Lions players to keep an eye on in fantasy football drafts?

Beyond the wide receivers mentioned in this piece, there are still more Detroit offensive players to keep an eye on as you work your way down the draft board. Both starting running backs, David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, can be considered RB2s this season, with Gibbs having the play-making potential to finish even higher.

Follow rookie, tight end Sam LaPorta, figures to have a great role cut out for him, putting him in a spot to produce better than your typical Year 1 fantasy TE. Finally, Jared Goff doesn’t have the mobility to register as a top-10 quarterback, but he will have his spike weeks, and will be a great target in 2QB and Superflex leagues. 

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