Jameson Williams of Detroit Lions looking on.Detroit Lions (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
If Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams gets off to another slow start in 2024, the reigning NFC North champions could decide to move him ahead of the trade deadline.

The Lions traded up to select Jameson Williams with the No. 12 pick in 2022. The Alabama product missed most of his rookie year recovering from a torn ACL in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship, a 33-18 loss to Alabama.

Williams appeared in six games during the 2022 season, but he only had one catch on nine targets — a 41-yard touchdown. Williams missed seven games in 2023, four of them due to a suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.

In 10 games last season, Williams only had 10 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns. Despite his inconsistent production, the Lions reached the NFC Championship Game and narrowly lost a heartbreaker 34-31 to the San Francisco 49ers.

It’s hard to envision Jameson Williams emerging as a star in Detroit, simply given the wealth of weapons for Jared Goff, namely Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

If Williams hits the trade block, the rebuilding New England Patriots should be keen to make a move for him.

New England hasn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2019, when Julian Edelman hit the mark. Rookie Demario Douglas was their leading receiver with only 561 yards on 49 touchdowns. There’s just no way Drake Maye and/or Jacoby Brissett will produce with this set of wide receivers.

Jameson Williams could easily slot in as the new No. 1 WR in New England with no clear-cut competition on the depth chart.

What Patriots Should Offer For Jameson Williams

Recent draft busts like Zach Wilson, Jeff Okudah, Trey Lance, Mac Jones, CJ Henderson and Isaiah Simmons fetched mid-to-late round draft picks. Jerry Jeudy, a 2020 first-round pick, was dealt to the Cleveland Browns for two late-round picks earlier this offseason.

Jameson Williams hasn’t hit his ceiling yet, so the Lions should be willing to deal him at a reasonable price. A 2025 fourth-round pick and 2026 fifth-round pick feels like a fair price for Williams, who would benefit greatly from a fresh start — especially on a young team in need of a true WR1.