KCSN Draft Guide Sneak Peek: WR Jameson Williams

A receiver the Chiefs could target in the wake of the Tyreek Hill news

Things change rapidly in the NFL. The last article I wrote was about how JuJu Smith-Schuster could complement Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. One of those two is no longer a Chief, with the news that Hill had been traded for a war chest of picks.

Brett Veach and company now will need to identify a receiver in a loaded 2022 Draft class and potentially utilize some of his immense capital to find the right one.

We’re working hard on the 2022 KCSN Draft Guide that releases on April 6th. Here’s a sneak peak at one of the pages in the book on a speedy Alabama receiver the Chiefs could look to acquire.

WR Jameson Williams — Alabama

6’2” — 189

St. Louis, MO — 3/26/2001

Grade (round): 2nd

2021 Stats: 79 REC, 1,572 YDS, 15 TD, 19.9 Y/R

Background:

Former four-star recruit. Ohio State transfer, played his first two seasons buried on the Buckeyes depth chart. Burst onto the scene in 2021 earning himself First Team All-American honors. Led the NCAA in touchdown receptions of 70+ yards with four.

Strengths:

Williams is the best deep threat in this class, he has game-breaking and terrifying speed — he can absolutely fly.

He is a nightmare to game plan for as he can beat you over the top or take a simple slant, split the safeties, and hit his head on the goalpost. A threat to score every time he touches the ball. Alabama liked to move him around the formation and he does a nice job of getting vertical in a variety of positions but is best when he is stacked or in a bunch formation. He knows how to attack what is in front of him and does not waste motion in his release, nor his route stem.

Williams gets on the defender's toes in a hurry and does a good job of chasing the back of an opponent's helmet once he has them turned — not sure there was a defender in college football that could keep him in phase.  In the slot with a free release and a two-way go, he is nearly unguardable.

His elite deep speed that he pairs with elite ball tracking ability — puts him in a position to let the ball drop over his shoulder with ease, and plays with late hands. Stacks defenders well and then turn the burners on. He moves differently.

Weaknesses:

Lighter than what you would like, and it shows up from time to time. He can get bullied in his route stem and release, and NFL corners may give him trouble with physicality. Liability as a blocker and finds himself on the ground too often.

Will have to improve his functional strength before he is someone who can be relied on to line up outside more than a few times a game. Can get into the habit of letting the ball into his body which led to a few unnecessary drops this season. Tore his ACL in the National Championship game and will likely miss his entire rookie season.

How he fits with the Chiefs:

With the loss of Tyreek Hill, Kansas City may be looking to add another true burner to that wide receiver room. Williams is the closest thing in this draft to what Hill was, and could be a star in this offense. The ACL injury could push him into a range the Chiefs could select the highly talented, explosive receiver.

Player comp: Will Fuller

Team Fit: High