The upcoming NFL Draft starts on Thursday, April 28 in Las Vegas, Nev. Alabama football has several players in this year’s draft, including two projected first-round picks.
The staff at Touchdown Alabama Magazine are doing player profiles leading up to the draft.
Jameson Williams is the second offensive player to profile.
Jameson Williams
-Position: Wide receiver
-Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
-Height: 6-2
-Weight: 189 pounds
-Strengths: Speed, explosive cuts, route running, creates separation, versatility (plays special teams), generates instant offense with the ball, production (Alabama’s leader for yards and touchdowns in 2021), fits the modern-era wide receiver
-Weaknesses: Knee injury in CFP National Championship Game, tends to body catch passes
-2022 draft projection: Late first-round pick
2022 NFL Draft profile
Jameson Williams blessed Crimson Tide fans with his production in one season as a transfer.
He came over from Ohio State in the summer of 2021 and quickly earned a starting job at receiver. The 6-foot-2, 189-pounder brought explosive speed, cuts, route running, big-play abilities, and versatility to a team that won the Southeastern Conference Championship and appeared in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Williams turned in one of the greatest single-season performances by a receiver in Alabama history. He collected 79 receptions for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns.
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Williams picked up All-American and first-team All-SEC honors. He earned SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year for his efforts as a return specialist (two touchdowns) and coverage player. Williams fits the modern-day era of receivers in the National Football League. He can take a 5-yard or 10-yard play and turn it into a long touchdown to create momentum. The NFL is now about instant offense. People are no longer seeing the methodical drives, but more so quick hitting plays for touchdowns.
Williams sustained a knee injury (anterior cruciate ligament) in the CFP National Championship versus Georgia.
He did not participate in on-field workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine and Alabama’s Pro Day. Media pundits are concerned about his durability, but he is ahead of schedule in his rehab. Williams also has a tendency to body catch passes. He does not always look the ball into his hands. This causes him to drop passes, and it is an area of his game that needs improvement.
His speed makes up for the issue as coaches will work with him on becoming more consistent catching the ball.
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Williams’ injury projects him as a late first-round draft pick. He could come off the board at No. 18 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles or No. 30 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs. The New England Patriots acquired DeVante Parker from the Miami Dolphins, but it can still use another receiver. Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers could go to the Patriots via trade, but will Bill Belichick make the move? If not, New England could put Williams with Mac Jones as it has the 21st overall pick of the draft.
Aaron Rodgers no longer has Davante Adams or Marquez Valdes-Scantling to throw to in Green Bay. The Packers, like Kansas City (Nos. 29 and 30), have two first-round picks. Green Bay could get Rodgers a No. 1 receiver at No. 22 or No. 28 overall.
Williams would fit into Matt LaFleur’s scheme really well. We will see which team takes the speedster.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
