Editor’s be aware: That is the primary installment of a season-long collection on a breakout star from the previous week of NFL motion. The Week 1 winner: Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams.
After the Lions’ 26-20 extra time victory Sunday night time over the Rams to open their 2024 season, Jameson Williams walked into the postgame press convention holding his first recreation ball at any stage.
The Detroit receiver could not assist however smile.
“I ain’t by no means did this earlier than,” he stated, referencing how he was talking on the podium.
Williams caught 5 passes on 9 targets for a career-high 121 receiving yards (third-most amongst all NFL gamers in Week 1) and a landing to assist information the Lions’ win. In a recreation wherein Detroit could not get its prime two pass-catchers going — stars Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta mixed for seven receptions and 58 yards — the previous first-round decide led the cost till the remainder of the offense discovered its means.
That is why Williams is FOX Sports activities’ breakout NFL star for Week 1.
“The perfect a part of it’s he did not even play his finest ball,” Lions coach Dan Campbell stated postgame. “There’s nonetheless a lot to wash up. … He is enhancing. He is an improved participant. He desires it, man.”
The Lions’ WR2 behind St. Brown, Williams is required to persistently present up as he did within the opener. He is broadly seen as an X-factor in Detroit’s hopes to achieve the Tremendous Bowl for the primary time.
After Williams starred in coaching camp, many league observers pegged him as a breakout candidate in Yr 3. His first two NFL seasons had been impacted by a torn ACL suffered in faculty at Alabama — he did not make his NFL debut till Week 13 of his rookie yr — and a suspension final season for violating the NFL’s playing coverage. After sitting out 4 video games, he returned to place up 24 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 12 video games, together with 10 begins.
The No. 12 total decide in 2022, Williams has 30 receptions for 516 yards and 4 touchdowns in 19 appearances.
“I put in loads of work. Not simply this yr. It has been steady work ever since I acquired into the league,” Williams stated. “It is simply the time to point out it. First recreation. It is simply the beginning, although. We acquired 16 extra within the common season. Playoffs. We acquired much more ball to play. It is simply the beginning.”
Why Williams was profitable in Week 1
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s playcalling positioned an emphasis on getting Williams the ball in area, the place his pace created massive good points for Detroit. Of his 121 receiving yards, 63 got here after the catch in opposition to the Rams (52%), in accordance with Subsequent Gen Stats.
The play that almost all will speak about is Williams’ 52-yard landing, the place he dusted former All-Professional cornerback Tre’Davious White on a double transfer down the sideline. However his effectiveness was on show on in-breaking routes all through the competition, which the Lions may look to deploy all season.
For instance, within the second quarter, Williams picked up 36 yards on a dig route with the Rams in man protection. Pre-snap movement left security Quentin Lake manned up in opposition to Williams, who ran reverse of Lake’s exterior leverage and Los Angeles had no assist over the center. Two of Williams’ 5 receptions additionally got here on shallow crosses within the second half, with one selecting up 27 yards.
However the Lions additionally used Williams within the run recreation. Late within the second quarter, he picked up 13 yards on a reverse.
Detroit this season may look to make the most of his pace to stretch defenses extra horizontally within the run recreation, providing one other risk exterior of star second-year operating again Jahmyr Gibbs. Williams had simply three speeding makes an attempt final common season, tied for forty fifth amongst broad receivers, however totaled 29 yards (9.7 yards per carry) and a landing on these carries. Within the NFC Championship Sport in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, he took a reverse 42 yards for a landing.
That supplied a style of Williams’ star potential — as did the 2024 opener.
“Me personally, I anticipated to have an enormous recreation,” Williams stated. “I suppose it is simply massive for the world as a result of it is my first one. However I plan on having much more. I do not plan on this being my finest recreation of my profession.
“I plan on this simply being the beginning.”
To not point out a jump-start for the Lions’ title aspirations.
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a yr and a half. He coated the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to shifting to Tennessee. You possibly can comply with Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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