Wide receiver Jameson Williams came on strong at the end of last season for the Detroit Lions, finishing the year with a rushing and receiving touchdown in the NFC Championship Game loss to San Francisco.
Entering his third season, the Lions are expecting Williams to be a bigger contributor now as their No. 2 receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. He's a player who can take the top off a defense with his game-breaking speed and has shown he can be a big-time playmaker.
Williams said he's worked hard this offseason to gain muscle and improve some the little aspects of playing the receiver position in the NFL that end up making a big difference in the grand scheme of things.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell has certainly taken notice.
"We started this thing (offseason training program) back in April and you have Phase I for a couple of weeks, then we've been on the grass for three weeks in Phase II, which has been routes on air and fundamentals and individual and doing all this," Campbell said.
"We're two practices in (to Phase III) and if you said, 'Give me one player who is the most improved from that start to finish over that time?' Jamo is that guy right now. He is a man on a mission and I'm just going to leave it at that."
When asked to elaborate on where he had seen improvement in Williams' game, Campbell was quick to say 'everywhere' before the question was even finished.
Williams missed five games last season due to suspension and injury, and finished with 24 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed three times for 29 yards and a touchdown.
That's not a ton of production for a top 5 passing offense, but with veteran Josh Reynolds leaving in free agency to sign with Denver, there are 64 more passing targets set to go elsewhere.
"My mindset is just to get better," Williams said after practice Thursday. "Do better than I did last year and help the team out a little bit more in a lot of ways. Hearing that come from my coach means a lot because I've been working. I've been putting in work since the season ended and it feels good hearing that."
Williams has had the opportunity the last few days in OTA practices to go against a veteran cornerback in Carlton Davis III, who also faced Williams twice last season in Detroit's two wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the regular season and playoffs.
View photos from Day 2 of Detroit Lions OTA practice on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 in Allen Park, Mich.
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Nate Lynn (57) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman John Cominsky (79) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (99) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (99) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (1) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (18) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 22, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
"He has a bright future," Davis said of Williams. "He has so many tools in his tool belt. He can beat you running fast, he can snap down, he's a threat in a lot of different ways. When you're going up against a guy like that every day you have no choice but to get better."
Davis said he's pretty sure he's making Williams better every day too.
With all the weapons the Lions have on offense with St. Brown, tight end Sam LaPorta and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, if Williams puts it all together and becomes a consistent weapon for this offense, there's no telling what kind of heights Detroit might reach.
