The next in a long line of Alabama wide receivers, Jameson Williams, is looking to bring his explosive play to the NFL. Check out his scouting report below.Â
Background
Hailing from the wide receiver factory that is Alabama, Jameson Williams had an electric 2021 season. With 79 receptions for 1,572 yards and fifteen touchdowns, Williams earned a spot as a first-team All-American. An Ohio State transfer, Williams also ran track in high school, where he set the Alabama state record in the 300-meter hurdle. He was also a finalist for the 2022 Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s best receiver, but was not named the winner.
Strengths
As evidenced by his track and field background, Williams has speed for days. He is one of the fastest players in the country, and defenses do not have an answer for him as he just runs past their coverage, whether that be in man or zone. Making things more difficult for the defense is the robust route tree he ran while in Tuscaloosa. Running many of the typical “fast guy” routes like go’s, overs, and posts, he is exceptionally deadly on double moves where the suddenness of his route running really shines. His ability to track the ball on these downfield routes really pops as well. Not just a downfield threat, Williams was deployed in the short-to intermediate areas of the field as well, where he was able to display dazzling ability in the open field, again due to his speed.
Jameson Williams is just unfair pic.twitter.com/udk4CIbfQ2
— Jason Willis (@JWillisScouting) January 29, 2022
Weaknesses
By far, the biggest worry in Williams’s NFL projection is the ACL tear he suffered in the National Championship Game. How he recovers from this will, of course, be pivotal in determining the rest of his career. In addition to strengthening his knee going forward, he will have to fill out the rest of his frame. Much like former Crimson Tide star Henry Ruggs III, he will need to add weight to last on the outside in the NFL. He has some struggles attempting to catch the ball through contact at times as well, but more often than not he gets open anyway, so this will not be a part of his game in the NFL.
Evaluation
Williams’ injury in the National Championship game was a true heartbreaker. One of the draft’s most exciting and best players, his draft stock is now in total flux. While players have rebounded from these injuries much more successfully in recent times, they are still likely to miss a large chunk of their rookie season, if not all of it. Regardless, he is still immensely talented. Based on his film, he undoubtedly received a first-round grade from me. With the injury situation being what it is, a team is very likely to get a steal on day two of the NFL Draft. For teams looking to add speed to the receiver room, they truly don’t get much better than Williams.
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*Top Photo: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports