The Detroit Lions came up just one game short of advancing to Super Bowl 58 but are well-positioned on the offense to be a contender in the NFC for years to come.
One explosive offensive piece who flashed some serious playmaking ability over the back half of 2023 was WR Jameson Williams, which has created some high expectations for dynasty shareholders heading into his third NFL campaign.
How should dynasty managers value Williams heading into the 2024 fantasy football season?
Jameson Williams’ Dynasty Outlook
The start of Williams’ career hasn’t exactly been among the most productive in league history, with just 25 receptions for 395 receiving yards and three receiving scores through his first two seasons in the league. Of course, there is a lot of context required when just spelling out his numbers.
How did Jameson Williams come down with this catch? 👀#AllGrit
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 29, 2024
Williams was still recovering from a devastating knee injury he suffered during the final game of his collegiate career throughout the majority of his rookie campaign. He was also hit with a suspension to begin the 2023 season for violating the league’s gambling policy.
While we’re still talking about some of the concerns, Williams did drop four of his 42 targets, which has been a bit of an issue for him throughout the early portion of his career.
The last major concern will be Williams’ target share heading into 2024. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta saw a combined 284 targets last season, and both are highly unlikely to see a reduced role in the passing game.
Let’s not forget about Jahmyr Gibbs, who saw 71 targets his rookie year working behind David Montgomery but could see his role also expand in the passing game.
Now, I’m not suggesting Williams won’t have a role or doesn’t have a chance of seeing his role expand in 2024, but you do have to wonder exactly how reliable his target share is going to be working alongside these other elite playmakers who appear to be higher-volume players.
Still, it’s possible for an elite offense to sustain four viable fantasy starters — the San Francisco 49ers from last season come to mind — but the Lions will have to be a hyper-efficient and explosive unit for all four to be considered top options at their respective positions (including Williams).
MORE: Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Value Chart
Williams saw his role expand towards the end of last season and made a big impact in the playoffs, scoring two touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game while playing over 70% of the offensive snaps.
His vertical speed gives this Lions offense a true deep threat, and he could see a ton of great looks with attention focused on the other gifted pass catchers. This should help maximize his big-play opportunities.
If the jump in usage and production we saw from Williams late in the year was a preview of things to come from him heading into 2024, then his arrow is certainly pointing up.
Williams’ Dynasty Ranking
Where does Williams land in the dynasty WR landscape going into the 2024 offseason? Here are Tate’s latest rankings, featuring where Williams lands in comparison to other top wide receivers.
1) Justin Jefferson | MIN
2) CeeDee Lamb | DAL
3) Ja’Marr Chase | CIN
4) Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET
5) A.J. Brown | PHI
6) Garrett Wilson | NYJ
7) Tyreek Hill | MIA
8) Puka Nacua | LAR
9) Chris Olave | NO
10) Rashee Rice | KC
11) Jaylen Waddle | MIA
12) DeVonta Smith | PHI
13) DJ Moore | CHI
14) Zay Flowers | BAL
15) Drake London | ATL
16) Jaxon Smith-Njigba | SEA
17) Tank Dell | HOU
18) Nico Collins | HOU
19) DK Metcalf | SEA
20) Brandon Aiyuk | SF
21) Deebo Samuel | SF
22) Michael Pittman Jr. | IND
23) Tee Higgins | CIN
24) Jordan Addison | MIN
25) Jayden Reed | GB
26) Amari Cooper | CLE
27) Davante Adams | LV
28) Keenan Allen | LAC
29) Stefon Diggs | BUF
30) Mike Evans | TB
31) Cooper Kupp | LAR
32) George Pickens | PIT
33) Terry McLaurin | WAS
34) Diontae Johnson | PIT
35) Josh Downs | IND
36) Christian Kirk | JAX
37) Calvin Ridley | JAX
38) Chris Godwin | TB
39) Courtland Sutton | DEN
40) Romeo Doubs | GB
41) Jakobi Meyers | LV
42) Treylon Burks | TEN
43) Jahan Dotson | WAS
44) Wan’Dale Robinson | NYG
45) DeMario Douglas | NE
46) Marquise Brown | ARI
47) DeAndre Hopkins | TEN
48) Jerry Jeudy | DEN
49) Mike Williams | LAC
50) Khalil Shakir | BUF
51) Michael Wilson | ARI
52) Jameson Williams | DET
53) Christian Watson | GB
54) Rashod Bateman | BAL
55) Dontayvion Wicks | GB
56) Jalin Hyatt | NYG
57) Rashid Shaheed | NO
58) Gabe Davis | BUF
59) Tyler Lockett | SEA
60) Marvin Mims Jr. | DEN
61) Elijah Moore | CLE
62) Trey Palmer | TB
63) Jonathan Mingo | CAR
64) Quentin Johnston | LAC
65) Brandin Cooks | DAL
66) Curtis Samuel | WAS
67) A.T. Perry | NO
68) Darnell Mooney | CHI
69) Odell Beckham Jr. | BAL
70) Zay Jones | JAX
71) Rondale Moore | ARI
72) Adam Thielen | CAR
73) JuJu Smith-Schuster | NE
74) Alec Pierce | IND
75) Noah Brown | HOU
76) Joshua Palmer | LAC
77) Michael Thomas | NO
78) Tutu Atwell | LAR
79) Donovan Peoples-Jones | DET
80) Kadarius Toney | KC
Should You Trade Williams in Dynasty?
Are you considering trading Williams? Our free PFN Trade Analyzer allows you to find the best trade offer to make in seconds!
Williams is one of the most fascinating studies in dynasty fantasy football at the moment.
He hasn’t given us a whole lot to go off of, but some of the small bits we’ve seen from him through his first two years have showcased some of his elite game-breaking skills, which can help justify a stingy shareholder who isn’t ready to part ways with his upside in a high-powered offense.
An injury cost Williams most of his rookie year, and a gambling suspension cost him another chunk of his sophomore campaign. However, his third year feels like it has a very wide range of outcomes.
Williams’ competition for targets isn’t going any worse, though, which could make it very difficult for him to live up to his true fantasy potential.
If someone believes he’s set to explode next year and is willing to part ways with a late first in this upcoming rookie draft, I would probably take it. Another option I would consider for a competitive roster that may not want to wait on Williams’ development is offloading him for a veteran who can help you win now.
MORE: Dynasty Trade Advice — Michael Pittman Jr., Tank Dell, and Curtis Samuel
This isn’t anything against Williams, but I believe he’ll be a far more valuable piece to opening up Detroit’s offense than he will be a reliable fantasy force in your lineup for the next few years.
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