The Patriots Prospect Profile: Jameson Williams WR – Alabama
Jameson Williams will be an elite pass catcher in the NFL one day. I hope that he’ll be doing that wearing a Patriots jersey, guess what you should too!
Load the Passing Attack! (GMMW)
If you’ve read anything I’ve written so far my desire to add weapons to the team’s offensive arsenal is obvious. Starting with last summer, the team has signed or traded for: Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor, and now DeVante Parker. While some additions have been more impactful than others, the Patriots still lack a true game-changer in the offense.
Henry, in his first full season in New England, caught the most touchdowns of his career (single-season). Bourne outplayed his free-agent counterpart, Agholor, putting up the best season statistically of his career.
Although Parker, Bourne, or Jakobi Meyers may end up taking over as the Patriots WR1 in 2022, the Patriots receiving core is full of WR2s. Why not add game-breaking talent and speed to an already revamped offense?
♪ ♫ ♬… With the 21st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots select….
As of now, most draft experts are projecting many top receivers to be selected in the first round. The list is long and includes stars Treylon Burks, Garrett Wilson, and Drake London. One player getting left out of the conversation all too often: Alabama’s Jameson Williams. At 6’2” and 190 pounds, Williams’ combination of build and speed put him in the conversation with all of the top receivers of this class.
The Draft Network agreed, giving him an 87.5 prospect score and a first-round value.
The Crimson Tide had yet another excellent season in the College Football world. While ultimately falling just short of a national championship, the team would not have made it there without the quickness in separation and explosiveness of Jameson Williams.
Williams originally began his collegiate career in 2019 at Ohio State University. However, he was buried behind two other high-caliber receivers throughout his entire two-year stay – Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. During his two seasons at OSU, Williams only had 15 receptions, 266 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Coming out of Cardinal Ritter College Prep as a four-star prospect, the freshman’s first college TD was still a delight.
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Williams’ First Career College TD
After catching a TD against Clemson in the 2021 Sugar Bowl, the sophomore announced he’d be taking his talents to Bama for next season.
SEC Domination
Williams had an incredible junior year with the Crimson Tide. With 79 catches, 1,572 yards, and a whopping 15 touchdowns, he was named First Team All-SEC. Even though he’s recovering from an ACL injury, after tearing it against Georgia in the CFP National Championship, I believe Jameson Williams should be no lower than a late first-round pick in this year’s upcoming NFL Draft.
Assuming he gets back to his pre-ACL tear form, Williams possesses an utterly uncatchable top-end speed and smooth shiftiness. He gains separation from his defenders with ease, as highlighted by his 1,329 yards when deemed open (PFF). That mark was easily the most in college football. Williams averaged a breathtaking 51.6 yards per reception on targets of 20+ yards which led the nation by far. In almost every wide-receiver metric on deep targets, Williams was listed in the top 20, and often the top 10.
Jameson excels as a downfield threat. His ability to reach maximum speed is lightning quick. In that respect, he is frequently compared to previous Alabama speedsters such as Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle. When comparing Williams’ deep target numbers against Bama receivers since 2014, he still finds a way to stand out.
Though he had a lower PFF Receiving grade (93.4) than Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, or Waddle, Williams led in virtually every on-field metric. He blew all recent Alabama products out of the water whether it was his 34.2-yard aDOT (average Depth of Target) or 11.4 Yards per Route Run. His Yards After Catch per Reception (15.5) nearly doubled the three previously listed. Notably, it was leaps and bounds past Calvin Ridley and Amari Cooper during their time at Alabama as well.
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Should the Patriots select Williams – Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Closing Thoughts
While the NFL will be much more physical with him at the line of scrimmage, the fear and threat of his speed alone will haunt defenders. Even with safety help, the constant “what if” of a blowby will force those in coverage to back off at times.
He would provide Mac Jones with another weapon in the passing game, with a speed that Kendrick Bourne can’t match. Williams holds the state record in the 300-meter hurdles, a trait that is clearly shown when he steps on the field. The Patriots, if he’s available at their pick, should look at the young Missouri native.
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