Can Detroit’s forward thinking pay dividends?
The 2024 campaign marked the best season of Jameson Williams’ career so far, bringing 1,062 all-purpose yards.
Yet the most significant takeaway was his ability to stay healthy and play for a whole season.
Since Detroit made the call to bring Williams to the franchise, his journey to stay fit has not been easy.
Williams was originally drafted with an ACL tear, resulting in just nine targets over six rookie appearances in 2022.
And in 2023, his fitness issues continued. A hamstring strain followed by an ankle sprain led to five more games missed.
But why should Detroit jump the gun and tie Williams down long-term if he cannot stay on the field?
A star with a unique skillset
Despite injuries haunting Williams in 2024, he was able to prove why he was drafted 12th overall in 2022.
His top-end speed at times made him the most dynamic piece in Dan Campbell’s offense.
This cemented his role as the flex/gadget player used in motion to diagnose the defense’s coverage.
And when needed, Williams’ frightening acceleration at the line of scrimmage often lead to big yardage gains after the catch on crossing and post routes.
On top of this, the 24-year-old’s selfless nature – despite trying to prove doubters wrong – helped elevate the offence’s floor with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs producing elite numbers.
Is the inflated market on the rise in 2026?
With Jameson Williams entering the fourth year of his rookie deal, the leg work to convince Williams to stay should start.
It is likely that the team will exercise his fifth-year option as a first-round draft pick next offseason. But 2026 is another year where across the league, team starters will need to be paid in an already inflated market.
Chris Olave and George Pickens, to name a few, will be free agents next offseason and demanding $22 million+ annually.
Let us not forget Detroit are no strangers to the high costs a long-term wide-receiver contract poses. Last season, St. Brown agreed on a four-year, $120 million contract.
And while Williams will not demand a salary close to that, a similar or better year of production in 2025 will only see the value of his stock increase.
Where does Jameson Williams sit in the market?
Predicting how Williams will perform in 2025 is tough.
Many factors could hinder his chances at a better season stats wise – another injury or the introduction of Isaac TeSlaa, for example.
But if he does perform adequately, then a contract similar to Chris Godwin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is likely. This March, Godwin agreed to a three-year extension for $66 million – $22 million annually.
But why is Godwin the ball-park figure? Similar to Williams, Godwin has faced injury issues in the past while playing second fiddle to Mike Evans.
And while this looks likely to be Godwin’s last major contract, Williams can use the deal as an incentive to earn more as a veteran in years to come.
